Battle Royal at Cropredy

Saturday News from the Civil War

A further report from our war correspondent Herbie Neil who is stationed close to  the front lines:

“All is calm at the moment after the heat and chaos of this afternoon’s fighting when the noise and
smoke of the battle was intense (unlike the respective Armies’ followers who were in tents). 
The parliamentarians with their backs to the river Cherwell endured a cavalry attack by the Royalists
swooping out of the woods below Williamscot before responding with thunderous volleys of musket fire
and charges by the pikemen who had no idea of where they were going in all that musket smoke. 
It was difficult to see through the murk but I fear that a number of soldiers may actually have melted
in the heat. Certainly a good few of them appeared to fall down “dead” at the first opportunity.
Smart move.

In general a good time was had by all, but there was much suffering in the thirty degree heat. 
In the rehydration station (aka The Red Lion) after the cease fire, many were regretting the authenticity
of their heavy woollen jackets and trousers and big boots.  There was much perspiration. Fortunately, the
lower ranks were able to take much comfort from the fact that their more meagre costumes caused a
lot less distress than the fancy topcoats and sashes worn by the officer class.  I believe the fashionable term
is schadenfreude. Surprisingly perhaps, none sought the cooling comfort of a dip in the canal, which was
a pity because they might have been usefully employed in searching for my assistant’s iphone which fell in yesterday.

Rumour has it that the cease fire is only temporary and that further fighting will break out on sunday
afternoon when your correspondent will be taking refuge by escorting a young family up the locks and back
to escape the fighting.

Back to you in the studio