Political History - Newton's part in the Civil War
The English Civil War took place between 1642 and 1649. There were many reasons for the war, but it was mainly about whether the King or Parliament should have more power in governing the country.
Early in the war, in 1643, there was a siege of Warrington, which was being held for the King by forces of the Earl of Derby. In connection with the siege, Winwick Church was used as a small fortress, and it was captured by Oliver Cromwell's men.
Later in the War the Duke of Hamilton advanced into Lancashire with an army of Scottish soldiers. In a letter from Oliver Cromwell to William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons, he described what has become known as either the Battle of Red Bank or the Battle of Winwick Pass, and which took place between Newton and Winwick:
"We could not engage the enemy until we came within three miles of Warrington, and there the enemy made a stand at a passe near Winwicke. We held them in some dispute till our army came up, they maintaining the passe with great resolution for many hours, ours and theirs coming to push of pike and very close charges, and forced us to give ground, but our men, by the blessing of God, quickly recovered it, and charging very home upon them, beat them from their standing, where we killed about a thousand of them, and tooke (as we believe) about two thousand prisoners, and prosecuted them home to Warrington town, where they possessed the bridge, which had a strong barracado and a work upon it, formerly made defensive. As soon as we came thither I received a message from Lieutenant-General Baily, desiring some capitulation to which I yielded, considering the strength of the passe, and that I could not goe over the river within ten miles of Warrington with the army. I gave him these termes, that he should surrender him-self and all his officers and souldiers prisoners of war, with all his Arms and Ammunition and horse to me, I giving quarter for life, and promising civill usage, which accordingly is done, and the commissioners deputed by me have received, and are receiving all the Armes and Ammunition, which they tell me, about foure thousand compleat Armes, and as many prisoners, and thus you have their infantry totally ruined. What Colonells and Officers are with Lieutenant-General Baily, I have not yet received the list".
The English Civil War took place between 1642 and 1649. There were many reasons for the war, but it was mainly about whether the King or Parliament should have more power in governing the country.
Early in the war, in 1643, there was a siege of Warrington, which was being held for the King by forces of the Earl of Derby. In connection with the siege, Winwick Church was used as a small fortress, and it was captured by Oliver Cromwell's men.
Later in the War the Duke of Hamilton advanced into Lancashire with an army of Scottish soldiers. In a letter from Oliver Cromwell to William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons, he described what has become known as either the Battle of Red Bank or the Battle of Winwick Pass, and which took place between Newton and Winwick:
"We could not engage the enemy until we came within three miles of Warrington, and there the enemy made a stand at a passe near Winwicke. We held them in some dispute till our army came up, they maintaining the passe with great resolution for many hours, ours and theirs coming to push of pike and very close charges, and forced us to give ground, but our men, by the blessing of God, quickly recovered it, and charging very home upon them, beat them from their standing, where we killed about a thousand of them, and tooke (as we believe) about two thousand prisoners, and prosecuted them home to Warrington town, where they possessed the bridge, which had a strong barracado and a work upon it, formerly made defensive. As soon as we came thither I received a message from Lieutenant-General Baily, desiring some capitulation to which I yielded, considering the strength of the passe, and that I could not goe over the river within ten miles of Warrington with the army. I gave him these termes, that he should surrender him-self and all his officers and souldiers prisoners of war, with all his Arms and Ammunition and horse to me, I giving quarter for life, and promising civill usage, which accordingly is done, and the commissioners deputed by me have received, and are receiving all the Armes and Ammunition, which they tell me, about foure thousand compleat Armes, and as many prisoners, and thus you have their infantry totally ruined. What Colonells and Officers are with Lieutenant-General Baily, I have not yet received the list".