Marmaduke Langdale

Marmaduke Langdale (1598 - 1661) was married to Ann Howard, a granddaughter of Sir Thomas Howard, the 4th Duke of Norfolk. He held the post of High Sherriff of Yorkshire before the English Civil War. Always a gaunt, austere and uncompromising character, he was one of those who had refused to pay ship money to the crown, but after gaining extensive military experience in Europe during the 1630's, he joined the Royalist cause at the outbreak of the war.

Related Topics:
1598 - 1661 - Thomas Howard - English Civil War - Royalist

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He commanded a brigade of horse in the army of the Marquess of Newcastle. After the Royalist defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor, he took command of the surviving cavalry from Newcastle's army. Known as the "Northern Horse", these die-hards were largely impoverished sons of gentry, and they became known for touchiness and lack of discipline.

Related Topics:
Marquess of Newcastle - Battle of Marston Moor

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In February 1645, Langdale led a raid into Yorkshire, defeating Major-General Lambert at Wentbridge and relieving Pontefract Castle. However, Langdale's men looted and raped, causing much damage to the Royalist cause in Yorkshire.

Related Topics:
Major-General Lambert - Pontefract

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In May, Langdale and Northern Horse formed the left wing of the main Royal army at the Battle of Naseby. They faced Oliver Cromwell's more numerous and better disciplined troopers, and were outflanked and driven from the field by weight of numbers.

Related Topics:
Battle of Naseby - Oliver Cromwell's

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After Naseby King Charles tried to march towards Scotland to join forces with Montrose. At Chester, Langdale's men were part of the scratch army which attempted to lift the siege of the city. In the confused battle, they were defeated at Rowton Heath by Parliamentarian cavalry under Major-General Poyntz.

Related Topics:
King Charles - Montrose - Major-General Poyntz

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Although the King turned back, Langdale and his men attempted to continue to Scotland under the command of courtier Lord Digby in October 1645. At Sherburn-in-Elmet in Yorkshire they ambushed some Parliamentarian horse, but some of them panicked and they were scattered and defeated. Langdale and the remnants were chased to Skipton and then across the Pennines into Cumberland and finally defeated on Carlisle Sands. Digby and Langdale escaped to France via the Isle of Man.

Related Topics:
Lord Digby - Sherburn-in-Elmet - France - Isle of Man

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In 1648, Langdale was among the English Royalists who supported the Engager invasion

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of England. He seized Berwick, and joined the Duke of Hamilton on his march through Lancashire. On 17 August 1648, Langdale's force was guarding the road into Preston while the main Engager army crossed the River Ribble, when Cromwell launched an unexpected attack, initiating the three-day running battle of Preston. Langdale fought for some hourse without support and was eventually overwhelmed.

Related Topics:
Berwick - Duke of Hamilton

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He was taken prisoner at Nottingham and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle until October 1648 when he escaped to the Continent. His name was included on Parliament's list of Royalists excluded from pardon for their roles in the wars.

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At Charles II's court-in-exile, Langdale advocated an alliance with the Spanish as a means of regaining the throne. Like Digby, he became a convert to Roman Catholicism. He was created Baron Langdale at the Restoration.

Related Topics:
Charles II's - Roman Catholicism - Restoration

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