In June of that same year, Parliament again demanded that all military rule be given to them. Charles refused and amassed forces in the north. Parliament prepared it's own army headed by Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. Sir Arthur Hesilrige was part of this battle force.
The first major battle took place on October 23 1642. The Battle of Edgehill Down announced the beginning of the English Civil War. Charles I marched on London in the hopes of retaking it. Oliver Cromwell, not a prominant figure at this point and the Earl of Essex, moved to intercept the king's troops at Edgehill. Hesilrige led his own troop of cavalry into battle and after several hours of fighting, both sides withdrew. The battle was seen as a draw.
The following year, Hesilrige raised his own cavalry and became General of Horse for William Waller. Sir Arthur's troop, the 'Lobsters' were so nicknamed by the Royalists for the curaisser armour they wore. Despite the armour being seen as too heavy for many, Hesilrige's troop wore it in full and it saved Sir Arthur's life on more than a few occasions.
Sir Arthur displayed immense bravery in the 1643, Battle of Lansdown Hill. On July 5, the Royalist Army met Parliament's Army once more. It appeared the Parliamentarian's could not be beaten, until cornish pikemen held them at bay and then drove them back to capture Cromwell's big guns. Despite heavy losses, the Royalists won the day. Hesilrige was wounded by pike thrusts into his thigh and his arm, but he recovered well enough to receive worse in the Battle of Roundway Down -1643.
The battle began after Sir William Waller bombarded the town with gun fire for two days. Prince Morris, Charles' Nephew escaped and recruited the help of Royalists stationed at Marlborough. On their return, the Royalists attempted to lead their men up the hillside to attack Waller's forces. Waller ordered his cannons to open fire. The Royalists short on ammunition, continued to charge and then charge again. They continued in this manner for two hours without firing a single shot.
Their persistence paid off, the Parliamentary Army weakened and they fled the battlefield. Waller was captured but escaped to Bristol and Sir Arthur's regiment was badly beaten. Hesilrige received three pistol shots at close range and several sword wounds. His 'Lobster' armour served to sustain him and Charles I was heard to have remarked - -
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