44.
The royal army lay near Banbury; that of the parliament, at Keinton, in the county of Warwick.

Prince Rupert sent intelligence of the enemy's approach.

Though the day was far advanced, the king resolved upon the attack: Essex drew up his men to receive him.

Sir Faithful Fortescue, who had levied a troop for the Irish wars, had been obliged to serve in the parliamentary army, and was now posted on the left wing, commanded by Ramsay, a Scotchman.

No sooner did the king's army approach, than Fortescue, ordering his troop to discharge their pistols in the ground, put himself under the command of Prince Rupert.