Cropredy Bridge, battle of

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Cropredy Bridge, battle of, 1644. While waiting for news of Rupert's attempt to relieve York, Charles I's southern army clashed with Waller at Cropredy bridge, on the Cherwell near Banbury, on 29 June. Waller, seeing the royalist army strung out on the march, hoped to punch a hole between van and rear by taking Cropredy bridge. In turn, he found himself facing a battle on two fronts, when the royalist van turned, and he was fortunate to extricate himself with the loss of some light guns. Though little more than a cavalry skirmish, Cropredy sustained royalist morale until the news from Marston Moor came through.

J. A. Cannon

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