Fairfax had been in arms to attack Lambert's rear, in accordance with the understanding he had come to with Monk; and it was part of Monk's business at York to reform the wreck of Lambert's forces, incorporating some of them with his own and putting the rest under the command of officers who had declared for Fairfax.

He arranged also for leaving one of his own regiments at York and for sending Morgan back with two others to take charge of Scotland.

By these changes his army for farther advance was reduced to 4000 foot and 1800 horse.

Hitherto his march had been by his own sole authority; but at York he received orders from the Council of State to come on to London.

Dreading what might happen from his conjunction with the great Fairfax, and not daring to order him back to Scotland, the Rump leaders had assented to what they could not avoid.