Marmaduke Langdale
Encyclopedia
Sir Marmaduke Langdale (1598 at Pighall
– 5 August 1661 at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor
) was a Royalist commander in the English Civil War.
He married Lenox (d. 1639), daughter of Sir John Rodes of Barlborough, Derbyshire, and his third wife Catherine, daughter of Marmaduke Constable of Holderness on 12 September 1626, at St Michael-le-Belfry in York
. He held the post of High Sheriff of Yorkshire
in 1639, before the English Civil War
. Always a gaunt, austere and uncompromising character, he was one of those who had refused to pay ship money to the crown, but after gaining extensive military experience in Europe during the 1630s, he joined the Royalist
cause at the outbreak of the war.
He commanded a brigade of horse in the army of the Marquess of Newcastle
. After the Royalist defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor
, he took command of the surviving cavalry from Newcastle's army. Known as the "Northern Horse", these die-hards were largely impoverished sons of gentry, and they became known for touchiness and lack of discipline.
In February 1645, Langdale led a raid into Yorkshire, defeating Major-General John Lambert
at battle of Wentbridge and relieving Pontefract Castle
. The lack of discipline led to excessive rape and pillage, damaging the Royalist cause in Yorkshire. The respite the raid gained for Pontefract was only temporary, because without infantry support Langdale was forced to retire and when he did so Pontefract was again besieged.
In May, Langdale and the Northern Horse formed the left wing of the main Royal army at the Battle of Naseby
. They faced Oliver Cromwell's
more numerous and better disciplined troopers, but were outflanked and driven from the field by weight of numbers.
After Naseby King Charles
tried to march towards Scotland to join forces with Montrose
. Langdale's men were part of the scratch army which attempted to lift the siege of Chester
. In the confused Battle of Rowton Heath
, they were defeated by Parliamentarian cavalry under Major-General Sydnam Poyntz
.
Although the King turned back, Langdale and his men attempted to continue to Scotland under the command of courtier Lord Digby
. During October Digby's forces fought a number of engagements, finally being defeated on Carlisle Sands by Sir John Brown on 24 October. Digby and Langsdale escaped to the relative safety of the Isle of Man
which was held for the Royalists by the Earl of Derby
. From Man they made their way to France.
In 1648, Langdale was among those who joined the Royalist side in the Second English Civil War
and who supported the Scottish Engager invasion of England. Langdale organised the Royalist cause in Cumberland and seized Berwick
. He was engaged by Major-General John Lambert
who's cavalry came into contact with his forces near Carlisle. Instead of fighting a pitched battle Lambert slowly fell back towards Bowes
and Barnard Castle
, fighting small rearguard actions to annoy Langdale and gain time. Langdale did not follow him into the mountains, but occupied himself in gathering recruits and supplies of material and food for the Scots. Lambert, reinforced from the Midlands, reappeared early in June and drove Langdale back to Carlisle with his work half finished. Langdale's English Royalists joined the Scottish army and placed themselves under its commander, the Duke of Hamilton
. They accompanied him on his march through Lancashire. On 17 August 1648, Langdale's force was guarding the road into Preston while the main body of the army crossed the River Ribble
, when Cromwell launched an unexpected attack, initiating the three-day running Battle of Preston (1648)
. Langdale's Royalists fought for some hours without support and was eventually overwhelmed.
Langdale managed to escape from Preston but was captured a few days later in Nottingham
and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle
. In October 1648 he escaped and made his way to the European Continent. This was a lucky escape for him, as the Parliamentarians were not inclined towards mercy and executed a number of prominent Royalists including the Duke of Hamilton, Langdale's name was included on Parliament's list of Royalists excluded from pardon for their roles in the wars.
At Charles II's
court-in-exile, Langdale advocated an alliance with the Spanish as the best means of regaining the throne. Like Digby, he became a convert to Roman Catholicism. At the Restoration
he was created Baron Langdale
.
Beverley
Beverley is a market town, civil parish and the county town of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, located between the River Hull and the Westwood. The town is noted for Beverley Minster and architecturally-significant religious buildings along New Walk and other areas, as well as the Beverley...
– 5 August 1661 at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor
Holme-on-Spalding-Moor
Holme-on-Spalding-Moor is a small village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately north east of Howden and south west of Market Weighton...
) was a Royalist commander in the English Civil War.
He married Lenox (d. 1639), daughter of Sir John Rodes of Barlborough, Derbyshire, and his third wife Catherine, daughter of Marmaduke Constable of Holderness on 12 September 1626, at St Michael-le-Belfry in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
. He held the post of High Sheriff of Yorkshire
High Sheriff of Yorkshire
The High Sheriff of Yorkshire was an ancient High Sheriff title originating in the time of the Angles, not long after the invasion of the Kingdom of England, which was in existence for around a thousand years. A list of the sheriffs from the Norman conquest onwards can be found below...
in 1639, before the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. Always a gaunt, austere and uncompromising character, he was one of those who had refused to pay ship money to the crown, but after gaining extensive military experience in Europe during the 1630s, he joined the Royalist
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
cause at the outbreak of the war.
He commanded a brigade of horse in the army of the Marquess of Newcastle
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle
William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne KG KB PC was an English polymath and aristocrat, having been a poet, equestrian, playwright, swordsman, politician, architect, diplomat and soldier...
. After the Royalist defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor
Battle of Marston Moor
The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on 2 July 1644, during the First English Civil War of 1642–1646. The combined forces of the Scottish Covenanters under the Earl of Leven and the English Parliamentarians under Lord Fairfax and the Earl of Manchester defeated the Royalists commanded by Prince...
, he took command of the surviving cavalry from Newcastle's army. Known as the "Northern Horse", these die-hards were largely impoverished sons of gentry, and they became known for touchiness and lack of discipline.
In February 1645, Langdale led a raid into Yorkshire, defeating Major-General John Lambert
John Lambert (general)
John Lambert was an English Parliamentary general and politician. He fought during the English Civil War and then in Oliver Cromwell's Scottish campaign , becoming thereafter active in civilian politics until his dismissal by Cromwell in 1657...
at battle of Wentbridge and relieving Pontefract Castle
Pontefract Castle
Pontefract Castle is a castle in the town of Pontefract, in the City of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. It was the site of the demise of Richard II of England, and later the place of a series of famous sieges during the English Civil War-History:...
. The lack of discipline led to excessive rape and pillage, damaging the Royalist cause in Yorkshire. The respite the raid gained for Pontefract was only temporary, because without infantry support Langdale was forced to retire and when he did so Pontefract was again besieged.
In May, Langdale and the Northern Horse formed the left wing of the main Royal army at the Battle of Naseby
Battle of Naseby
The Battle of Naseby was the key battle of the first English Civil War. On 14 June 1645, the main army of King Charles I was destroyed by the Parliamentarian New Model Army commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell.-The Campaign:...
. They faced Oliver Cromwell's
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
more numerous and better disciplined troopers, but were outflanked and driven from the field by weight of numbers.
After Naseby King Charles
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
tried to march towards Scotland to join forces with Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
. Langdale's men were part of the scratch army which attempted to lift the siege of Chester
Siege of Chester
The Siege of Chester was a siege of the First English Civil War, between February 1645 and January 1646, with an intermission during the summer of 1645....
. In the confused Battle of Rowton Heath
Battle of Rowton Heath
The Battle of Rowton Heath occurred on 24 September 1645 during the English Civil War between the Parliamentarians, commanded by Sydnam Poyntz, and the Royalists under the personal command of King Charles I...
, they were defeated by Parliamentarian cavalry under Major-General Sydnam Poyntz
Sydnam Poyntz
Sydnam Poyntz , Col.-Gen., an English soldier, served in the Thirty Years' War under Ernst von Mansfeld before commanding Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War....
.
Although the King turned back, Langdale and his men attempted to continue to Scotland under the command of courtier Lord Digby
George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol
George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 until 1641 when he was raised to the House of Lords...
. During October Digby's forces fought a number of engagements, finally being defeated on Carlisle Sands by Sir John Brown on 24 October. Digby and Langsdale escaped to the relative safety of the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
which was held for the Royalists by the Earl of Derby
James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby
James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby KG was a supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.Born at Knowsley, he is sometimes styled the Great Earl of Derby, eldest son of William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby and Lady Elizabeth de Vere. During his father's life he was known as Lord Strange...
. From Man they made their way to France.
Second English Civil War
The Second English Civil War was the second of three wars known as the English Civil War which refers to the series of armed conflicts and political machinations which took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1652 and also include the First English Civil War and the...
and who supported the Scottish Engager invasion of England. Langdale organised the Royalist cause in Cumberland and seized Berwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
. He was engaged by Major-General John Lambert
John Lambert (general)
John Lambert was an English Parliamentary general and politician. He fought during the English Civil War and then in Oliver Cromwell's Scottish campaign , becoming thereafter active in civilian politics until his dismissal by Cromwell in 1657...
who's cavalry came into contact with his forces near Carlisle. Instead of fighting a pitched battle Lambert slowly fell back towards Bowes
Bowes
Bowes is a village in County Durham, England. Located in the Pennine hills, it is situated close to Barnard Castle. It is built around the medieval Bowes Castle.-Civic history:...
and Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle is an historical town in Teesdale, County Durham, England. It is named after the castle around which it grew up. It sits on the north side of the River Tees, opposite Startforth, south southwest of Newcastle upon Tyne, south southwest of Sunderland, west of Middlesbrough and ...
, fighting small rearguard actions to annoy Langdale and gain time. Langdale did not follow him into the mountains, but occupied himself in gathering recruits and supplies of material and food for the Scots. Lambert, reinforced from the Midlands, reappeared early in June and drove Langdale back to Carlisle with his work half finished. Langdale's English Royalists joined the Scottish army and placed themselves under its commander, the Duke of Hamilton
James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton
General Sir James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton KG was a Scottish nobleman and influential Civil war military leader.-Young Arran:...
. They accompanied him on his march through Lancashire. On 17 August 1648, Langdale's force was guarding the road into Preston while the main body of the army crossed the River Ribble
River Ribble
The River Ribble is a river that runs through North Yorkshire and Lancashire, in northern England. The river's drainage basin also includes parts of Greater Manchester around Wigan.-Geography:...
, when Cromwell launched an unexpected attack, initiating the three-day running Battle of Preston (1648)
Battle of Preston (1648)
The Battle of Preston , fought largely at Walton-le-Dale near Preston in Lancashire, resulted in a victory by the troops of Oliver Cromwell over the Royalists and Scots commanded by the Duke of Hamilton...
. Langdale's Royalists fought for some hours without support and was eventually overwhelmed.
Langdale managed to escape from Preston but was captured a few days later in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle is a castle in Nottingham, England. It is located in a commanding position on a natural promontory known as "'Castle Rock'", with cliffs high to the south and west. In the Middle Ages it was a major royal fortress and occasional royal residence...
. In October 1648 he escaped and made his way to the European Continent. This was a lucky escape for him, as the Parliamentarians were not inclined towards mercy and executed a number of prominent Royalists including the Duke of Hamilton, Langdale's name was included on Parliament's list of Royalists excluded from pardon for their roles in the wars.
At Charles II's
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
court-in-exile, Langdale advocated an alliance with the Spanish as the best means of regaining the throne. Like Digby, he became a convert to Roman Catholicism. At the Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
he was created Baron Langdale
Baron Langdale
Baron Langdale was a title that was created twice in British history. The first creation came in the Peerage of England on 4 February 1658 when the prominent royalist commander of the English Civil War, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, was made by Baron Langdale, of Holme...
.
External links
- http://kvk.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de/hylib-bin/kvk/nph-kvk2.cgi?maske=kvk-last&title=UB+Karlsruhe%3A+Karlsruher+Virtueller+Katalog+KVK+%3A+Ergebnisanzeige&header=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de%2Fkvk%2Fkvk%2Fkvk-header_de_2006_11.html&spacer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de%2Fkvk%2Fkvk%2Fkvk-spacer_de_2006_11.html&footer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de%2Fkvk%2Fkvk%2Fkvk-footer_de_2006_11.html&css=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ubka.uni-karlsruhe.de%2Fkvk%2Fkvk%2Fkvk-neu2.css&input-charset=utf-8&kvk-session=5CE812TH&ALL=%22Marmaduke+Langdale%22&TI=&PY=&AU=&SB=&CI=&SS=&ST=&PU=&kataloge=COPAC&kataloge=BL&target=_blank&Timeout=120Literature from and about Marmaduke Langdale in the Virtual Catalogue of Karlsruhe]
- AllSaintsSancton.org.uk