scue, fell likewise into the
enemy's hands. Sir Edmund Verney, who carried the king's standard, was
killed, and the standard taken; but it was afterwards recovered. In this
situation, Prince Rupert, on his return, found affairs. Every thing
bore the appearance of a defeat, instead of a victory, with which he had
hastily flattered himself. Some advised the king to leave the field; but
that prince rejected such pusillanimous counsel. The two armies
faced each other for some time, and neither of them retained courage
sufficient for a new attack. All night they lay under arms; and next
morning found themselves in sight of each other. General, as well as
soldier, on both sides, seemed averse to renew the battle. Essex first
drew off, and retired to Warwick. The king returned to his former
quarters. Five thousand men are said to have been found dead on the
field of battle, and the loss of the two armies, as far as we can judge
by the opposite accounts, was nearly equal. Such was the event of this
first battle fought at Keinton, or Edge Hill.[*]

Some of Essex's horse, who had been driven off the field in the
beginning of the action, flying to a great distance, carried news of a
total defeat, and struck a mighty terror into the city and parliament.
After a few days, a more just account arrived; and then the parliament
pretended to a complete victory.[**] The king also, on his part, was not
wanting to display his advantages; though, except the taking of Banbury
a few days after, he had few marks of victory to boast of. He continued
his march, and took possession of Oxford, the only town in his dominions
which was altogether at his devotion.

* Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 44, etc. May, book iii. p. 16,
etc.

** Whitlocke, p. 61. Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 59.

After the royal army was recruited and refreshed, as the weather still
continued favorable, it was again put in motion, A party of horse
approached to Reading, of which Martin was appointed governor by the
parliament. Both governor and garrison were seized with a panic, and
fled with precipitation to London. The king, hoping that every thing
would yield before him, advanced with his whole army to Reading. The
parliament, who, instead of their fond expectations that Charles would
never be able to collect an army, had now the prospect of a civil
war, bloody, and of uncertain event; were further alarmed at the near
approach of the royal army, while their own force