Battle of Kings Norton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Kings Norton
Part of the First English Civil War
Date 17 October 1642 Location Kings Norton Result Parliamentarian victory
Belligerents
Royalist	Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Prince Rupert	Lord Willoughby
Strength
9 troops of horse 300 foot	800 horse and foot
Casualties and losses
50-80 killed 20 captured	17-20 killed

The Battle of Kings Norton was a small fight that happened on October 17, 1642. It was part of the First English Civil War, a big conflict in England. This battle was a surprise meeting between two groups. One group was the Royalists, who supported King Charles I. They were led by Prince Rupert. The other group was the Parliamentarians, who supported the Parliament. They were led by Lord Willoughby.

Both groups were on their way to join their main armies. These armies would soon meet in a much bigger battle called the battle of Edgehill. In the end, the Parliamentarians won this small fight at Kings Norton. After the battle, both sides continued their journeys to join their main forces.

Before the Battle: Royalists and Parliamentarians

King Charles's March

On October 17, 1642, King Charles I was marching his army south. They were passing through the town of Birmingham. During their journey, some of the King's carriages were attacked. Their contents were taken to Warwick Castle. This castle was a strong place controlled by the Parliamentarians.

Prince Rupert's Journey

Meanwhile, Prince Rupert's soldiers had been staying in Stourbridge. This was after they won a fight at the Battle of Powick Bridge. On October 17, Prince Rupert left Stourbridge. He was heading to meet King Charles. He had about 9 groups of horse riders and 300 foot soldiers with him.

Lord Willoughby's Path

At the same time, a Parliamentarian group was also on the move. This group was led by Lord Willoughby of Parham. He was going to join the Parliamentarian army led by the Earl of Essex. It seems that Prince Rupert's path crossed Lord Willoughby's path by chance.

The Fight at Kings Norton

Prince Rupert, a leader for the Royalist side.

Lord Willoughby had about 800 horse riders and foot soldiers. He met Prince Rupert's forces somewhere between Stourbridge and Birmingham. It is believed this meeting happened in the Kings Norton area. The fight that followed was described as "very fierce and cruel."

The Royalists were the ones who stopped fighting first. They lost between 50 and 80 soldiers. Another 20 Royalist soldiers were captured. The Parliamentarians stayed in control of the battlefield. They lost fewer men, between 17 and 20.

What Happened Next

After the battle, both sides continued their journeys. Prince Rupert successfully joined King Charles's army. Lord Willoughby also joined the Earl of Essex's Parliamentarian army.

A historian named J. W. Willis-Bund thought that Lord Willoughby might have given information about Prince Rupert's movements. This information could have led the Earl of Essex to move his army towards Worcester on October 19.

Images for kids

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  Prince Rupert, a leader for the Royalist side.