Database: The King's War
Worcester // England // 1651-09-03
DDS transcript taken from the genetic memories of Charles II:
The men are exhausted after such a long march, but none complain. I look at them with no small amount of pride. We are ready to face the Roundheads. I will soon take my rightful place!
Most of my soldiers are battle-hardened Highlanders, but the Welsh Royalists and Gloucestershire Presbyterians will make good additions to our ranks. They fought bravely under my father's banner. I am glad to have them on my side.
The battle begins. We are vastly outnumbered, but my men fight for every hedgerow around the city! Alas, Cromwell's troops are too numerous. They force us back! I send two sorties to break the Parliamentarians' advance to the east. I lead my men and storm Red Hill, thinking about my father. Their cries bolster my spirit.
It is difficult to fight in this heat, but the Roundheads retreat and we hold them back. Unbelievable! Cromwell sends more troops! How much reinforcement can the rogue muster? Our retreat becomes a rout. We flee inside the city.
Curse this heat! I begin to remove my armor and a Highlander rushes to help. The wounds he bears tell me he fought hard. I smile at him and his crooked smirk reveals he has not yet lost hope. I find a fresh mount, but I am unable to rally my men. We will not win this day.
"Save the king!" I recognize the voice, and then notice the speaker, the Earl of Cleveland. He salutes me and storms down High Street, leading a desperate cavalry charge. This is the only chance we are going to get. We escape through St. Martin's Gate.