Battle of Naseby

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Tue, 02/11/2021 - 00:00

Returning from the south last year, I called at Naseby. This is another quaint English village, but by its bounds lies the site of the great battle wherein Black Tom Fairfax and Old Nol Cromwell defeated Charles Stuart. About 21,000 men fought that day, 1400 of whom were likely killed or died of their injuries. This Civil War had dragged on for some years, but this Cromwellian/Fairfax victory assured the Parliament of eventual triumph. Though more battles would rage, the King’s strength would never recover. Furthermore, in His Majesty’s supply waggon were found incriminating letters that proved he was planning to employ Irish Catholic Confederates against his English subjects, charges that would later cost him both head and crown. Both sides displayed bravery and courage, but stronger Parliamentary numbers prevailed in the end.

I would not seek to demonise King Charles, though I am glad his forces were defeated. He was a genuinely pious man and not without courage, but he was a persecutor of God’s elect, who took the reigns of power after his demise. Naseby was certainly his undoing. Again, without wishing to caricature him as the bad guy, his defeat reminds me of Satan’s defeat at Calvary. Though he continues to prowl, rage and ‘reign’, his days are numbered and his power waning. The victory of Christ at Calvary has assured the cosmos of his final defeat. Behold the mighty prince of hell- defeated by a bleeding Man atop a wooden cross.

“I could not riding out alone about my business, but smile out to God in praises, in assurance of victory because God would, by things that are not, bring to naught things that are”.

-Cromwell before the battle of Naseby. 1645.