Why was the battle of Naseby important and who won?
The battle of Naseby was important for 3 reasons. Firstly, it was the first battle for Parliament’s New Model Army, a fulltime, professional, regularly (at least in theory) paid, uniformed, and drilled army (Britain’s first such army).Neither side was sure how it would perform in action. Secondly, the battle finally destroyed Prince Rupert’s reputation as a field commander. He was now regarded as an unreliable,undisciplined hothead by friend and foe alike. Finally, it was the most decisive battle of the First English Civil War. Parliament won a decisive victory – All 4000 Royalist infantry were captured, as was all their artillery. An additional 2000 were killed or wounded.Overall, the Royalists lost two thirds of their main field army.Further, the King’s coach, complete with his private correspondence, which detailed negotiations to bring a Catholic Irish army over to England to fight for the king, was also captured.
