292.
** Rush, vol.vi.p.

292.
*** Clarendon, vol.iii.p.

344.
**** Rush, vol.vi.p 292.
An action was now unavoidable; and Essex prepared for it with presence of mind, and not without military conduct.

On both sides the battle was fought with desperate valor and a steady bravery.

Essex's horse were several times broken by the king's, but his infantry maintained themselves in firm array; and, besides giving a continued fire, they presented an invincible rampart of pikes against the furious shock of Prince Rupert, and those gallant troops of gentry of which the royal cavalry was chiefly composed.