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ENGLISH CIVIL WAR GHOSTS

Story written by Dave Holdich

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The Battle of Marsden Moor 1644

By the 2nd July 1644 the civil war was going wrong for the royalist troops in the north of the country and they were forced to fall back to the fortified city of York, which was then besieged by Thomas Fairfax and the Parliamentarians, who had combined forces with the Scots.

Prince Rupert lead a relief force out to the besieged men, consisting of 7000 cavalry, and as many foot soldiers. Fairfax pulled away from York in order to cut off the reinforcements, but Rupert outflanked the parliamentarians and managed to reach the city. Rupert was never one to miss a fight though, and ordered his men out from York to surprise Fairfax. He led his men against a superior numbered force, with the sides meeting on Marsden Moor

By the time to two armies met each other on the moor it was dusk and Rupert was convinced the enemy wouldn't attack until morning, so he left the field in search of his dinner. Lord Newcastle, who was also in attendance, simply retired to his coach for a quiet smoke.

The Parliamentary army didn't wait until morning, and attacked as darkness fell, the battlefield lit by a harvest moon, casting eerie shadows over the fight, which continued on for several hours.

Prince Rupert returned to command the cavalry, but they were defeated after several hours of fierce fighting, but the infantry won the battle, saving the fight for the Royalists.

York was lost to the king and the royalists had lost up to 3000 men, and their artillery train. Parliament had regained the north.

To this day people driving along roads adjacent to the battlefield have reported seeing apparitions of soldiers hiding and cowering in ditches, and hedgerows, hiding from the battle in a desperate bid to survive. Soldiers on horseback have been seen riding on the moor, and then disappearing from sight. Soldiers have also been seen hobbling along the side of the road, helping others who were wounded.

Read More:

English Civil War Ghosts - Background
English Civil War Ghosts - The Battle of Edge Hill 1642
English Civil War Ghosts - The Ghostly Re-Enactment
English Civil War Ghosts - The Battle of Marsden Moor 1644
English Civil War Ghosts - A Stone Tape Haunting

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