Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
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Chapter XVII.<br />
THE BATTLE OF MARSTON MOOR, 1644.<br />
Wouldst hear the tale ? On Marston Heath,<br />
Met, front to front, the ranks ofdeath;<br />
Flourished the trumpets fierce, andhow,<br />
Fired was each eye,and flush'd each brow;<br />
On either side loud clamours ring,<br />
God and the cause! " " God and the King! "<br />
Scott.<br />
HE world-famous writer whose lines we have<br />
above quoted continues<br />
Right English all they rushed to blows,<br />
With naught to win, and all to lose.<br />
But it must be apparent to all who know the<br />
history of the Civil War of the 17th century that<br />
too great a principle was being fought out in that memorable<br />
and protracted struggle for it to be justly said that<br />
there was " naught to win." For the supremacy of the<br />
Royalists meant the winning for the throne absolute<br />
power, that of the Parliamentarians meant winning for<br />
the peoplea liberty whose roots are yet deep in English<br />
hearts.<br />
Of the many desperatecontests of the Civil War which<br />
occurred in the Northern Counties, the Battle of Marston<br />
Moor may claim to be the most severein the slaughter of<br />
its participants and the ultimate effect of the victory.<br />
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