William Waller Biography and Timeline

Committee of Safety Appointment

Waller joins the committee responsible for Parliament's military direction.

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of Portsmouth

Waller receives the surrender of Portsmouth after Parliamentarian land and naval pressure.

Role range: 1642-1649

Siege of Portsmouth

Waller directs Parliamentarian forces besieging the Royalist garrison.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Highnam

Routs the Royalist force of Lord Herbert

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of Bristol

Sets up his HQ in Bristol

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Ripple Field

Driven back by Prince Maurice to Tewkesbury

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Lansdown

Defeated by the Royalists under Hopton

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Roundway Down

Defeated by the Royalists under Lord Wilmot. Defeat by the Royalists under the Earl of Rochester

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of Bath

Forced to evacuate Bath after being defeated by the Royalists at Lansdown

Role range: 1642-1649

Southern Association Command

Parliament places Waller over an association of southern counties and authorises forces to serve under his command.

Role range: 1642-1649

Storming of Alton

Waller defeats the Royalist garrison at Alton and takes numerous prisoners during the winter campaign in Hampshire.

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of Gloucester

The Governor of Gloucester hands it over to Waller

Role range: 1642-1649

Invasion of Wales

Advances into Monmouthshire

Role range: 1642-1649

Major General

Appointed Major General

Role range: 1642-1649

Major General

Appointed Major General

Capture of Arundel Castle

Waller receives the surrender of Arundel Castle, checking Royalist attempts to penetrate Sussex and Kent.

Role range: 1642-1649

Victory at Cheriton

Waller defeats Hopton's Royalist army at Cheriton and gains control of much of Hampshire for Parliament.

Role range: 1642-1649

Advance on Oxford

Waller advances against Oxford from the south while Parliamentarian armies attempt to trap the King's field force.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Cropredy Bridge

Waller attacks across the Cherwell at Cropredy Bridge but is driven back and loses artillery to the Royalists.

Role range: 1642-1649

Rebellion of City Brigades

Writes complaining of the rebellion of the City Brigades

Role range: 1642-1649

Rebellion of City Brigades

Writes complaining of the rebellion of the City Brigades

Second Battle of Newbury

Waller shares command in the Parliamentarian attack at Second Newbury and later argues for stronger pursuit of the King.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Cheriton

Prevents the advance of Royalists under Sir Ralph Hopton

Role range: 1642-1649

Siege of Alton

Captures Alton for the Parliamentarians

Role range: 1642-1649

Dismissal

Relieved of command by the Self-Denying Ordinance

Role range: 1642-1649