ABSTRACT
In the spring of 1644, the northern royalists were facing not just the Scots on their advance south, but also incursions into Yorkshire by the Fairfaxes and the Eastern Association. The Marquis of Newcastle sent his cavalry out of York before the city was besieged, and in late April the newly released Colonel Goring was reunited with the northern horse at Newark. The relief of York became a priority for the royalists, and Prince Rupert was to be the instrument of salvation, seconded by Goring and the northern cavalry. After a hard cross-country campaign, they accomplished their goal and sent the besieging Parliamentary armies and the Scots into retreat. But the prince thought that his uncle wanted him to force an engagement. The result was the battle of Marston Moor, fought to the west of York, on the evening of 2 July 1644. The outcome was a total defeat for the royalists and the subsequent loss of York and the north. Thereafter, Rupert was no longer the invincible hero (or foe) that he had been, and Newcastle, his personal fortune spent, left the country. Only George Goring emerged with his reputation enhanced, for his initial smashing cavalry charge against Sir Thomas Fairfax had nearly won the battle.
