The latter nobleman began those associations which were afterwards so much practised in other parts of the kingdom.
He united in a league for the king the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the bishopric, and engaged some time after other counties in the same association.

Finding that Fairfax, assisted by Hotham and the garrison of Hull, was making progress in the southern parts of Yorkshire, he advanced with a body of four thousand men, and took possession of York.

At Tadcaster, he attacked the forces of the parliament, and dislodged them: but his victory was not decisive.

In other rencounters, he obtained some inconsiderable advantages.

But the chief benefit which resulted from his enterprises was, the establishing of the king's authority in all the northern provinces.
In another part of the kingdom, Lord Broke was killed by a shot while he was taking possession of Lichfield for the parliament.[*] After a sharp combat near Stafford, between the earl of Northampton and Sir John Gell, the former, who commanded the king's forces, was killed while he fought with great valor; and his forces, discouraged by his death, though they had obtained the advantage in the action, retreated into the town of Stafford.[**] Sir William Waller began to distinguish himself among the generals of the parliament.