Battle of Aylesbury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Aylesbury
Part of the First English Civil War
Plaque commemorating the battle
Date 1 November 1642 Location Holman's Bridge near Aylesbury Result Parliamentarian victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Prince Rupert	Sir William Balfour
Strength
2,000	1,500
Casualties and losses
500 killed	90 killed

The Battle of Aylesbury was an important fight during the First English Civil War. It happened on November 1, 1642, near the town of Aylesbury. In this battle, the Royalist army, led by Prince Rupert, fought against the Parliamentarian soldiers defending Aylesbury. Even though the Royalists had more soldiers, the Parliamentarians won the battle.

What Led to the Battle?

The English Civil War was a big conflict in England. It was fought between the Royalists, who supported King Charles I, and the Parliamentarians, who supported the Parliament.

Prince Rupert, a famous Royalist commander, took control of Aylesbury. He had thousands of soldiers, both foot soldiers and cavalry (soldiers on horseback). But then, he heard that a group of Parliament's troops was coming from Stony Stratford.

The Battle Unfolds

Prince Rupert decided to meet the Parliamentarian army before they reached Aylesbury. He marched out with most of his soldiers a few miles north of the town.

He found the Parliamentarian troops, about 1,500 of them, led by Sir William Balfour. They were waiting on the other side of a river crossing, called a ford.

Prince Rupert, with help from Sir Lewis Dyve and his reserve troops, charged across the ford. They attacked the Parliamentarian soldiers. However, the Parliamentarians fought back strongly. Prince Rupert's forces were pushed back across the stream. They had to retreat towards the town of Thame.

About 500 of Prince Rupert's soldiers were killed in the battle. The Parliamentarian forces lost around 90 soldiers.

Remembering the Battle

Many years later, in 1818, some workers were digging for gravel near Holman's Bridge, outside Aylesbury. They found human remains, which people believed were from the soldiers who died in this battle.

Many of the bodies seemed to be officers because of how they were buried. All the remains were later reburied together in a special grave. This common grave is in the churchyard of St Mary's church in Hardwick.