THE BATTLE

The Parliamentarian vanguard reached the crest of a ridge 500 yards beyond the village of Winceby, from where they could see the Royalists deploying on the next ridge, about 600 yards away. There was a shallow dip between thet two ridges, themselves curved around on the right and joined to form a horseshoe. The ground was open, apart from a thick boundary hedge on the left.

The Royalist horse were formed into five divisions, three in the first line and two in the second, with dragoons stationed in front of the horse. Sir William Saville evidently commanded on the right and Henderson on the left. Widdrington may possibly have led the two divisions in the second line.

Manchester now deployed his own forces. The five companies of dragoons led by Vermuyden and lXrgan formed a forlorn hope. Behind them, probably forming two divisions, were the regiments of Cromwell and Manchechster, led by Oliver Cromwell Fairfax's horse, also probabily in at least two divisions made up the second line. The line, led by Sir Miles Hobart were still some distance to the rear, and, after deploying his horse and dragcons, Manchester went back to hurry them up.

The two sides deployed, a short pause followed before the Royalist dragoons began to advance. Vermuyden conformed, and a fire fight broke out. As this continued, the first line of Royalist horse also moved forward down their slope and across the dip. In response, Cromwell advanced his first line at a trot, moving forward about 200 yards, possibly through Vermuyden's men, until he came under fire from the Royalist dragoons. Cromwell's advance must have been fairly deliberate, for the Royalists were able to get off two volleys. The second one unhorsed Cromwell.

At about the same time, the Royalist first line of horse moving through their own dragoons, a cavalry fight began. Cromwell, whilst trying to extricate himself from his fallen horse, was knocked down again by the Royalist Sir Ingram Hopton. The latter may have been hoping to take Cromwell prisoner, but was himself killed before he could do so. Cromwell eventually secured a "poor horse" from one of his troopers, but appears to have played little more part in the fight.

Oliver's role at Winceby has been the subject of many inflated claims by his admirers, who often credit him with the victory. The reality seems to have been rather different. It may of course simply be that Cromwell was shaken by his fall, and left unfit to do much, but it may also be that, though an excellent cavalry tactician, and notable general, Cromwell had little taste or aptitude for personal combat, a possibility borne out by a similarly shadowy performance at Marston Moor.

Certainly, it may be significant that in later life he left no recorded comment on Winceby. With or without Cromwell's involvement, the Royalist first line evidently had the worst of the initial encounter, recoiling on its second line which had advanced in support. The Royalist right seems to have been disordered, but rallied, and a generalmelee, lasting about 15 minutes, took place in the valley bottom.

Fairfax, whose force had not yet been committed, observed the deadlock, and decided to launch a fiank attack. Remarking to his officers: "Come, let us fall on, I never prospered better than when I fought against the enemy three or four to one!" he led the troops of the Parliamentarian second line around behind the crest of the ridges where they joined, and then, wheeling left, attacked down the slope against the Royalist left flank the divisions of Sir William Saville.

The eruption of Fairfax's men apparently threw Savile's troops into confusion. The Royalists seern to have been getting the better of the fight with Cromwell's troops, but, according to a Royalist version of events, Savile's men, on being ordered "to face about" to meet Fairfax, the intention being that they should actually face left, took the order to mean they should retreat. More likely is that they crumpled under Fairfax's assault.

In any event, the result was that Savile's division broke and fled, quickly followed by the remainder of the Royalist horse. The dragoons were caught before they could remount, and a number of them cut down. Significant losses were also inflicted on the fleeing Royalist horse, particularly when some of them, trying to negotiate the thick boundary hedge to the south-west of the battlefield, were trapped in a gateway, and a small massacre took place in what was later to be known as Slash Hollow.

The Royalists had lost, according to their opponents, 1,200 men and 26 colours, for a total of 20 Parliamentarian casualties. The Royalists themselves only admitted to losing 500 men. Whatever the exact figures, Winceby had been a notable Royalist reverse. Gainsborough and Lincoln fell, and The Parliamentarian horse had gained a significant victory. Of equally ominous portent for the King, on the same day Newcastle had abandoned the siege of Hull. Henceforward, the Northern Royalists would be on the defensive.

WARGAMING WINCEBY

Winceby makes a closely fought game between two armies similar in size, and composition. It also provides an opportunity to try out dragoon tactics. In experience the Parliamentarians have a slight edge, whilst the Royalists have a small numerical superiority.

Terrain is simple, basically open ground with a hedge with one gate along one edge of the table, and high ground as indicated on the map.

Both sides are set on a decisive victory, which in game terms for the Royalists will involve routing their opponents and exiting at least half of their troops in good order from the southern edge of the table, and thus relieving Bolingbroke Castle. They will probably only have a limited time in which to achieve this, however, for the arrival on the southern edge of the table of Hobart's foot, (who should be diced for with an increasing probability of their appearance as the games goes on) will make their task considerably more difficult. Both sides will gain victory points for casualties inflicted. There should be special bonus points for eliminating Cromwell (even though his later significance may not have been fully apparent at the time, the consequent need for the Parliamentarian player to safeguard him will help replicate Oliver's apparently low-key conduct at Winceby).

The Parliamentary player will need to prevent the Royalists from achieving their objective, and preferably drive them from the field, if he is to gain the locally decisive victory which occurred historically.

THE ROYALIST ARMY

The bulk of the Royalist Cavalry units should be classed as "TRAINED:GALLOPERS", with the exception of Samuel Tuke's Regiment, which should be "VETERAN:GALLOPERS." The dragoons should be classed as "TRAINED". The Royalist player will need approximately 55 cavalry figures and 22 dragoons (duplicated for mounted and dismounted). It it suggested that the horse should be organised as "divisions", each representing about 350 men (11-12 figures).

THE PARLIAMENTARIAN ARMY

General: Earl of Manchester (LV 2); absent unless enters with foot. In his absence command will be exercised by Oliver Cromwell (LV 2), who also leads the Eastern Association horse.
Officer: Sir Thomas Fairfax (LV 3). Commands Yorkshire horse.
Officer: Quartermaster General Cornelius Vermuyden (LV 1). Commands Dragoons.
Officer: Colonel Sir Miles Hobart (LV I). Commands foot.

The Parliamentarian horse should be classed as "TRAINED:GALLOPERS", with the exception of Cromwell's Regiment, which may be rated "VETERAN/ELITE:GALLOPERS". A total of 45 figures will be needed. The Dragoons, rated "TRAINED", will be represented by 15 figures, Duplicated for mounted and dismounted troops. It is suggested that 1,000 foot should be available for entry, rated "TRAINED" and armed on a 1:2 pike/musket ratio.

The Campaign to Winceby
The Armies of Winceby

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