ABSTRACT
The rapid approach of the New Model Army forced George Goring to withdrew from the siege of Taunton on 4 July 1645. For almost a week thereafter, Goring outmaneuvered his numerically superior opponents, but a plan to make Fairfax divide his army miscarried and instead helped set the stage for the confrontation which Goring had so desperately been trying to avoid. The battle of Langport on 10 July resulted in a total victory for the New Model Army. Fairfax chose not to pursue Goring and the remnants of his army into Devon but instead concentrated on reducing the royalist garrisons in Somerset and Dorset. In late August, Fairfax turned his attention to Bristol, defended by Prince Rupert, who surrendered within three weeks. This left the western royalists isolated in the final months of 1645, unable to rebuild their army when men, money and provisions were in short supply. Often incapacitated with poor health, Goring still kept Fairfax in check throughout October, but he seemed to lose interest in his command once any hope of decisive military action faded. In November 1645, George Goring sailed for France. He claimed his leave was only temporary to recover his health, but he was never to return to England again.
