Rupert of the Rhine Biography

Birth of Rupert of the Rhine, 3rd son of Frederick V & grandson of James I of England

Birth of Rupert of the Rhine, 3rd son of Frederick V & grandson of James I of England

Exiled after the Battle of the White Mountain ends fathers reign as King of Bohemia

Exiled after the Battle of the White Mountain ends fathers reign as King of Bohemia

Serves with Prince Frederick Henry of Orange

Serves with Prince Frederick Henry of Orange

Serves with Prince Frederick Henry of Orange

Rupert gained military experience while serving in Frederick Henry's army at Breda.

Serves with Prince Frederick Henry of Orange, in George Moncks company

Imprisoned at Linz Castle, 1638-1641

Captured by the Imperial forces during Charles Louis invasion of the Palatinate

Captured by the Imperial forces during Charles Louis invasion of the Palatinate

Released by Emperor Ferdinand III at the instigation of Archduke Leopold William

Rupert of the Rhine demands 2000 marks from the Mayor of Leicester, the Mayor sends Charles I 500 marks

Created Knight of the Garter by Charles I

Present with Charles I in Nottingham when the Royal Standard is raised declaring war

Essex occupis Worcester as Charles I is unable to send reinforcements to Prince Rupert

Appointed Commander of the Cavalry

Appointed Commander of the Cavalry

Rupert of the Rhine rejoins Charles I at Stafford

Essex occupis Worcester as Charles I is unable to send reinforcements to Prince Rupert

Wins the 1st skirmish of the civil war defeating the Earl of Essex near Worcester. Leads a detachment of 1,000 horse & dragoons & routes a Parliamentary force. Fires on the advanced guard of Parliamentarians who are heading towards Worcester

Rupert's Royalist cavalry routs Parliament's advance guard near Powick Bridge while covering the Oxford treasure convoy.

Rupert of the Rhine does not have enough forces to defend Worcester & camps at Powick Bridge

Rupert covers Sir John Byron's withdrawal from Worcester, allowing the Oxford treasure convoy to continue safely toward the King's army.

Rupert of the Rhine does not have enough forces to defend Worcester & camps at Powick Bridge

Ordered by Charles I to make Worcester secure & preserve his forces for battle

Ordered by Charles I to make Worcester secure & preserve his forces for battle

Advises Charles I to mobilize at Edgehill the next morning & challenge his enemy

Defeats the Earl of Essex near Worcester

Rupert of the Rhine captures Brentford for the Royalists, as ordered by Charles I

Rupert is forced back to Abingdon where he sets up an HQ

Rupert of the Rhine captures Brentford for the Royalists, as ordered by Charles I. Rupert attacks Brentford & defeats Parliaments forces under Holles, Essex & Brooke

Rupert attacks Brentford & defeats Parliaments forces under Holles, Essex & Brooke

Rupert of the Rhine captures Cirencester for the Royalists

Rupert of the Rhine captures Cirencester for the Royalists

Rupert of the Rhine fails in his attempt to capture Bristol

Lichfield surrenders to Rupert & the route from York to Oxford is opened for the Queen

Lichfield surrenders to Rupert & the route from York to Oxford is opened for the Queen

Captures the earthworks of Liverpool

Rupert gathers an army of 14,000 and is ready to march on York. Captures the earthworks of Liverpool

Rupert gathers an army of 14,000 & is ready to march on York

Rupert of the Rhine defeats Parliamentary forces near Dorchester then moves on the capture Bristol

Rupert of the Rhine defeats Parliamentary forces near Dorchester then moves on the capture Bristol

Rupert of the Rhine defeats Parliamentary forces near Dorchester then moves on the capture Bristol

Rupert begins the Royalist assault on Bristol.

Nathaniel Fiennes surrenders Bristol to Rupert of the Rhine

Rupert captures Bristol for the Royalists.

Rupert of the Rhine captures Bristol, Englands 2nd port which becomes the HQ for the Prince of Wales

Rupert of the Rhine captures Bristol, Englands 2nd port which becomes the HQ for the Prince of Wales. Joins forces with Ralph Hopton to capture Bristol

Rupert of the Rhine attacks Essexs Army

Rupert of the Rhine attacks Essexs Army

Rupert of the Rhine is defeated by Parliament

Rupert of the Rhine fights at the Battle of Lichfield

After Ruperts success at Newark Parliament withdraws from York

Appointed as General of the Royalist army

After Ruperts success at Newark Parliament withdraws from York

Created Duke of Cumberland

Created Earl of Holderness

Arrives at Bingham with forces gathered from Chester, Shrewsbury & the Midlands

Begins the attack on Meldruns Parliamentary forces

The Midlands falls into royalists hands after the siege of Newark

Successfully relieves Newark & the Countess of Derby. Rupert of the Rhine forces Meldrum's Army to surrender

The Midlands falls into royalists hands after the siege of Newark

Captures Bolton from the Roundheads

Captures Bolton from the Roundheads

Joined by Lord George Goring

Rupert of the Rhine succesfully relieves York

Leaves York to engage the Roundheads on Marston Moor. Leads the Royalist cavalry, the Royalists are defeated outside York. Almost captured but manages to beat a retreat to York

Returns to York after the Battle of Marston Moor. Collects 6,000 of his cavalry & marches into Lancashire

Fights an inconclusive Battle at Newbury

Appointed Commander in Chief, Royalist forces

Appointed Commander in Chief, Royalist forces

Dissmissed as Commander in Chief after the defeat at Naseby & the loss of Bristol

Helps Charles I to capture Leicester, there is much slaughter

Helps Charles I to capture Leicester, there is much slaughter

Stops the retreat & stands on high ground from East Farndon towards Great Oxendon. After defeat Rupert advises the royalists to sue for peace. Advises Charles against fighting, the Royal Army is virtually destroyed

Stops the retreat & stands on high ground from East Farndon towards Great Oxendon

Has command in the field of the Royalist forces & leads the right wing of the cavalry

Forced to surrender Bristol to a Parliamentary force under Fairfax

Forced to surrender Bristol to a Parliamentary force under Fairfax

Rupert surrenders Bristol to Fairfax after Parliamentarian attacks.

After the fall of Oxford in 1646, Parliament banishes both Rupert of the Rhine and his brother from England

Surrenders Bristol to the Parliamentarians

Succesfully defends La Bassee

Appointed Commander of the Royalist Fleet, reconcilled with Charles I

Relieves Moncks battered Fleet

Directs shore defenses

Repels an attempt on Upnor Castle

Drives of De Ruyter

Commands a Squadron in James Duke of Yorks fleet

Appointed Commander in Chief, Fleet, replaces James Duke of York after the Test Act

Defeats the Dutch

Defeats the Dutch