"Battle of Worcester 1651 - Orders of Battle?" Topic

What is known about the order of battle for both sides at Worcester 1651? Even a breakdown of strengths of horse, foot and guns would be helpful.

I'm sure one of the Partizan Press scenario books had this covered.

Hi Whirlwind,

Royalists around 16,000 in total being approx 4000 horse, 12000 foot, vast majority being Scots – though tricky to say exactly as it depends on how many deserted or straggled on their march south

Parliament about 31,000 in total being about 22,000 foot and 9000 horse. Partly New Model Army, partly militia units.

I have a book with a quite detailed order of battle in it somewhere, will try and dig it out.

Thanks both

Hi Whirlwind,

found it!

the book is "Cromwell's Crowning Mercy The Battle of Worcester 1651" by Malcolm Atkin, Sutton Publishing, 1998.

This has good OBs in the back for both the Scots and Parliament. The various regiments are shown with location on the battlefield (where known or probable) and the rest of the regiments known to be there are listed.

For Parliament, 12 of the foot regiments were NMA (of which 4 newly raised), 12 were militia, 12 NMA horse regiments plus 2 militia horse and 2 militia dragoon regts.

For the Scots about 35 Rgts foot and 6 cavalry brigades with about 24 regiments (or in some cases independent troops).

For wargaming purposes this is a big battle if you're going to do it 'by regiment'. Perhaps one way is by amalgamation and 'flag swaps'. ie for Parliament all your Parlt and Royalist redcoats become NMA, all differently coated foot become militia, horse are horse. For the Scots, you'll need a lot of Covenanters, but could add in any Montrose Scots Royalists and Highlanders you have as there were several Highland clans present on the day. Perhaps supplement to Scots horse with whatever other horse you have available. Plus a few Royalist horse for the few English volunteers riding with Charles II.

Thanks Timbo, that is really helpful.

For wargaming purposes this is a big battle if you're going to do it 'by regiment'. Perhaps one way is by amalgamation and 'flag swaps'. ie for Parliament all your Parlt and Royalist redcoats become NMA, all differently coated foot become militia, horse are horse. For the Scots, you'll need a lot of Covenanters, but could add in any Montrose Scots Royalists and Highlanders you have as there were several Highland clans present on the day. Perhaps supplement to Scots horse with whatever other horse you have available. Plus a few Royalist horse for the few English volunteers riding with Charles II.

All very good suggestions. TBH I'm not very precious about these things – one reason my blog is called "Heretical Gaming" hereticalgaming.blogspot.co.uk – so I'll just make up two forces that look very roughly correct for it. I use 6mm, which is a bit kinder to this broad-brush approach.

Many thanks again