The first battle in the English Civil War. Having raised his standard in Nottingham in August, Charles I recruited his troops and advanced towards London from Shrewsbury. Essex met him at Edgehill, near Banbury in Gloucestershire, choosing a site of steeply sloping ground which gave some advantage to the parliamentary infantry who managed to withstand the charges of Prince Rupert's cavalry. The battle was indecisive and both sides claimed victory.