Besides the trained bands of the county, raised by Sir John Digby, the sheriff, he had not gotten together above three hundred infantry.

His cavalry, in which consisted his chief strength, exceeded not eight hundred, and were very ill provided with arms.

The forces of the parliament lay at Northampton, within a few days' march of him, and consisted of above six thousand men, well armed and well appointed.

Had these troops advanced upon him, they must soon have dissipated the small force which he had assembled.

By pursuing him in his retreat, they had so discredited his cause and discouraged his adherents, as to have forever prevented his collecting an army able to make head against them.