New Model Army

Parliament issues instructions for the impressment of 22,000 in London & the east

Fairfax is appointed to command the New Model Army and begins organising Parliament's new national field force.

St John supports Parliament's programme for reorganising its armies as the New Model Army is established.

Fairfax becomes commander of the New Model Army created to improve Parliament's war effort.

Appointed 2nd-in-Command of the New Model Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax

Removes the existing Generals. Creates a New Model Army becoming 2nd-in-Command under Sir Thomas Fairfax. All MPs except Cromwell must relinquish military commissions within 40 days

Skippon becomes Major-General of Foot in the New Model Army and encourages experienced soldiers to enter the reorganised force.

Ireton receives senior cavalry command in the New Model Army as Parliament reorganises its field forces.

Whalley receives command of a cavalry regiment in the New Model Army during Parliament's military reorganisation.

Okey receives command of the New Model Army's dragoon regiment as Parliament forms its national field army.

Siege of Oxford by Fairfax and the New Model Army

The Commons approves Cromwell's appointment as 2nd in Command of the New Model Army

Fairfax commands the New Model Army in the decisive defeat of Charles I at Naseby.

Fairfax directs the New Model Army at Naseby and wins the decisive victory over Charles I's main field army.

Cromwell commands the New Model Army's horse at Naseby and turns his victorious cavalry against the Royalist infantry.

After defeating the Royalist cavalry, Cromwell redirects his horsemen against the Royalist foot and helps decide the battle.

Fairfax defeats the last major Royalist field army in the west at Langport and continues the New Model Army's advance.

Ireton returns to active service after Naseby and takes part in the New Model Army's successful assault on Bristol.

Cromwell takes part in the storming of Basing House, removing a major Royalist stronghold controlling routes west of London.

Appointed Captain General of the New Model Army

The New Model Army is created by Oliver Cromwell & Thomas Fairfax. The Committee of Both Kingdoms recommends a new army of 22,000 run by Parliament. Persuades Parliament to adopt a new militia, maintained by impressment & taxation. Modeled after Cromwell's Ironsides

Organised into 12 infantry & 11 cavalry regiments & 1 dragoon regiment. Becomes the 1st Commander of the New Model Army

Fairfax receives the surrender of Oxford, ending the Royalists' principal headquarters and effectively closing the First Civil War.

Commands the New Model Army to victory over Goring, a final blow to the Royalist cause

The soldiers in the New Model Army elect Agitators from each regiment to represent them; the Agitators are recognised by the Army commanders and sit on the General Council. Richard Overton is arrested for publishing a pamphlet attacking the House of Lords; during imprisonment he writes the influential Leveller manifesto "An Arrow Against All Tyrants and Tyranny"

Sexby is associated with the soldier representatives who press the Army's grievances as the New Model Army refuses disbandment until arrears, indemnity and political safeguards are secured

The Army Council supports the Solemn Engagement of the Army, drawn up because Parliament seeks to disband the New Model Army before settling arrears, indemnity and the soldiers' grievances

Cromwell acts among the Army Grandees as the New Model Army refuses disbandment on Parliament's terms and insists that the soldiers' political and military grievances must be settled

Fairfax stands at the head of the New Model Army Grandees as officers and Agitators adopt the Solemn Engagement, resisting parliamentary disbandment until soldiers' arrears, indemnity and grievances are secured

Fairfax's Army leadership approves the completed Heads of the Proposals as the New Model Army's official basis for a national settlement

Cromwell helps enforce the Grandees' settlement at the Corkbush Field rendezvous, suppressing Leveller-influenced resistance and restoring discipline within the New Model Army

A radical group within the New Model Army, the Levellers, calls for constitutional reform

The Levellers call for a broader franchise under a republican government. The Levellers emphasise popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law and religious toleration, ideas expressed in the manifesto "Agreement of the People". A radical group within the New Model Army calls for constitutional reform

Church is shot with other Leveller mutineers after the Burford rising, marking the destruction of the Levellers' organised support base within the New Model Army