'A Rabble of Gentility': The Royalist Northern Horse, 1644-45 (Century of the Soldier)

A great read, a must for any history fan. Very well researched. Quality printing and colour photo's. Recommended.

Wargames

I was given this bookas a Christmas present by a friend who knows my interest in the English Civil Wars. I was pretty pleased. The book gives a good rundown of the career of the Northern Horse in the First Civil War. As always John Barratt knows his stuff.and this is well up to the standard I've come to expect from this writer. I would recommend this to any with an interest in the English Civil Wars Indeed I've been pretty impressed overall by the "Century of the Soldier " series from Helion of which I now own several volumes. It is good to see a series on the 17t-early 18th centuries with such a potentially diverse subject matter. I look forward to adding more to my library.

One of the things the ‘Century of the Soldier’ series from Helion is doing so well is shining a light on those niche areas of the Civil War not covered by more formal histories. This new and revised study of a previous work published by John Barratt, on Langdale’s much-maligned cavalry in the aftermath of Marston Moor, shows the tough dexterity such a hodge-podge unit displayed in a changing military landscape.Told in narrative style, Barratt takes the reader through the campaign history, makeup, characters and motivations of this unit. It also shines a microscope on Langdale’s individual role within those battles within the closing years of the war, such as Rowton Heath and Naseby. While a wider analysis of Newcastle’s Northern Army is desperately needed, I did read this over a weekend travelling to and from a re-enactment of Marston Moor, thus giving some inkling of the nature of the Royalist Northern Army.Once again amply supplied with period imagery, plus colour uniform and flag plates from Les Prince and Bruno Mugnai, this is a book that does what it says on the tin. It also includes a detailed Order of Battle, breaking down regiments, numbers, recruitment areas, and officer lists and campaigns served in, so even has potential for those interested in geneology.A succinct, rounded unit history, that breaks down in enough detail everything the academic, the tailor, the reenactor, wargamer or modelmaker might need, while highlighting aspects of the war often missed within the broader history of battles of the period. Well worth reading.

This is the book I have been waiting for over 20 years ever since Mr Barratt brought out his original booklet published under Caracole press, which was only a slim single 1 volume, which the second volume never transpired sadly.This book covers one of the lesser know English Civil war units called the Northern Horse, and their progress after the defeat of the Royalists at Marston Moor. This is an extremely interesting read and sheds light on the later campaigns of the Northern Horse. At 120 pages, with some lovely full colour plates and B&W photos. This book is a must read if you are interesting English civil war.

Renowned English Civil War historian John Barratt focuses on the infamous Northern Horse from its inception through Marston Moor and Naseby and many battles of the English Civil War. The result is a fascinating insight into one of the Royalist forces most interesting formations. Illustrations by the talented Bruno Mugnai helps reconstruct the appearance of the Northern Royalist troops. Cornet flags are recreated by Dr Lesley Prince. Definitely worth getting if you have an interest in the Royalist Northern war effort as this provides a in-depth analysis into the main players such as Sir Marmaduke Langdale and his subordinates and their Roundhead opponents. The main players are investigated in a chapter entitled 'Afterwards' where it explores the post-war fate of the Northern Horse's officer corps.

A thoroughly researched and well written account of a doomed fighting unit and accounts of some key players subsequent to The Civil War.I may be susceptible to a well told tale but I felt a sympathy for Sir Marmaduke Langdale that would apparently have surprised even the allies of that unwavering soldier.The volume is well annotated and has some interesting illustrations; being really picky, some of them could have been larger.

Helion's ECW list is ever-expanding with both new looks at well-known topics, and filling in the gaps on subjects missing full-length subjects. Despite my Parliamentary sympathies, this account of the Northern Horse's Anabasis after Marston Moor can't help but give you a respect for them and their commanders. Essential for any Civil War collection!