ABSTRACT
Hopton’s cavalry under Sir Edward Stawell had outpaced Waller’s under Balfour, and reached Alresford before the parliamentary army could do so. The long awaited pitched battle seemed to be coming, but on 28 March the parliamentary commanders at Hinton Ampner were divided. Recognising that retreat, however, was as perilous as staying to fight, Waller prepared for action on the 29th. Whilst there is no doubt that Hopton wanted a battle, he was probably surprised to find Waller apparently determined also, and sent word to Lord Forth, who quit Alresford and ordered the royalist army to form up.
