FISLV 



ii. FIGHTING FO^THS 



THE armies who faced each other across Naseby Field 

 were eager for the battle, though they little guessed 

 how much was hanging on the issue of the fight. " Both 

 sides with mighty shouts expressed a hearty desire of 

 fighting," says a Roundhead writer, " having for our 

 parts recommended our cause to God's protection, and 

 received the word, which was ' God our Strength ' ; 

 theirs, ' Queen Mary.' " Not a man there was in a mood 

 to draw back. The Cavaliers were eager to make short 

 work of the New Model ; as to which indeed we have 

 the testimony of the time, that " never hardly did any 

 army go forth to war who had less of the confidence 

 of their own friends, or were more the objects of con- 

 tempt of their enemies." 



Cromwell, on the other hand, has left on record 

 that he felt confident of victory. The Cavaliers were 

 already moving forward, when the artillery of Fairfax 

 opened fire on their advancing line. The first shock of 



