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2. Second Battle of Lostwithiel, 1644
After the overwhelming defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor, which cost him the entire north of England, Charles I continued to defy the Parliamentarian forces.
From his HQ in Oxford, he marched west in pursuit of Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, who was invading the Royalist stronghold of Cornwall. Charles's army vastly outnumbered that of Devereux, and had the advantage of surprise. On September 2 1644, Charles's army attacked the rear of Essex's force and quickly surrounded it at Lostwithiel, 30 miles west of Plymouth, attacking from both the north and the east at the same time. Lostwithiel was strategically important during the English Civil War since it held the key to Fowey, at the time a major seaport.
Devereux and most of his cavalry managed to escape, but virtually all of the infantrymen, about 8,000, and the artillery fell into the king's hands. Only Major-General Philip Skippon and a few of his men succeeded in fighting their way out. Charles wheeled about and marched toward London.
This setback for Parliament in Cornwall, and the last major victory for the Royalists, was reversed by Sir Thomas Fairfax leading the New Model Army at or near Tresillian Bridge, close to TruroThis article is about the city in the United Kingdom. For other uses, see Truro (disambiguation Truro is the administrative centre of Cornwall, and the only city in the county. It is well known for Truro Cathedral, finished in 1910. The city is also the l on March 12March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (72nd in Leap years). There are 294 days remaining. Events 515 BC Construction is completed on the Temple in Jerusalem. 1664 New Jersey becomes a colony of Britain. 1894 For the first time Coc 1645Events February 15 New Model Army is founded officially June 14 English Civil War: Battle of Naseby 12,000 Royalist forces are beaten by 15,000 Parliamentarian soldiers June 28 English Civil War the Royalists lose Carlisle July 2: Fight at Alford, Aberdee.
Lostwithiel