The Royalists under Lord Goring attempted to fight a delaying action to allow his baggage and some artillery to withdraw. He placed his 7000 men astride a road with boggy ground covering most of their front. The road he protected with cannon. The 10,000 Parliamentarians under Fairfax had little option but to attack along the line of the road. Fairfax first used his cannon to silence the Royalist cannon and then sent his cavalry closely followed by infantry along the narrow front. The Royalist troops broke and fled and although few were killed in the battle many were made prisoner. Unusually for battles of this period cannon played a decisive role.

Somerset, England (England)

Goring's Army strength stood at 2 'light' guns, 1,000 Cavalry and approx. 6,000 Infantry. Fairfax had 2,000 cavalry and 8,000 infantry. His number of guns is unascertained but he appears to have had his full artillery train with him and sited it on Pitney Hill. (Goring had already sent his artillery train on to Bridgwater)
Of Fairfax's troops, 1,000 - 1,500 were made into a 'Forlorn Hope' and sent across Wagg Rhyne (the stream in question) was commanded by Colonel Thomas Rainsborough, a veteran of Naseby. The two squadrons of Parliamentarian Horse which successfully charged Goring's surviving Foot regiments were led by Majors Bethel and Desborough (Cromwell's brother in law). Goring suffered some 2,300 casualties, whilst Fairfax apparently had only 50.

The Royalists fled in disorder back to Bridgewater, with Goring eventually making it to Barnstable.

[Additional details supplied by Dr Gavin Hughes]

Royalist Forces

Number engaged :

7,000

Casualties :

2,300 (32.86%)

Parliamentarian Forces

Number engaged :

10,000

Casualties :

50 (0.50%)