3i4 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap.

IVl.

ISqz.

Battle of

Koundway-

down.

J3th July. 1

out any decisive event The gallant Granvillewas there killed ; and Hopton, by the blowingup of some powder, was dangerously hurt. Theroyalists next attempted to march eastwards, andto join their forces to the king’s at Oxford : ButWaller hung on their rear, and infested theirmarch till they reached the Devizes. Reinforcedby additional troops, which flocked to him fromall quarters ; he so much surpassed the royalistsin number , that they durst no longer continuetheir march, or expose themselves to the hazardof an action. It was resolved, that Hertfordand prince Maurice should proceed with thecavalry ; and, having procured a reinforcementfrom the king, should hasten back to the reliefof their friends. Waller was so confident oftaking this body of infantry, now abandonedby the horse, that he wrote to the parliament,that their work was done, and that, by thenext post, he would inform them of the numberand quality of the prisoners. But the king, evenbefore Hertford’s arrival, hearing of the great dif-ficulties, to which his western army was reduced,had prepared a considerable body of cavalry,which he immediately dispatched to their succour,under the command of lord Wilmot. Wallerdrew up on Roundway*down, about two milesfrom the Devizes ; and advancing with hiscavalry to fight Wilmot, and prevent his con-junction with the Cornish infantry , was.received

* x Rufhworth, vol. vi. p. 284. Clarendon, vol.iii.p. 282*