Edward Montagu, son of Henry Montagu, became the third Earl of Manchester in 1642. Montagu was drawn into opposition of Charles the first whilst sitting in the Long Parliament. He was given command under the Earl of Essex and fought at the battle of Edghill in 1642. Due mainly to their in experience the Regiment performed badly and soon fled the field when challenged by the Royalist troops. In 1643 he was given command of the Eastern Association and turned it into the most effective regional Parliamentarian army.

The campaign of 1644 saw the Eastern Association join up with Fairfax and the Northern Army to lay siege to the city of York. Manchester was required to lift his part of the siege to meet Rupert at Marston Moor in July of 1644. Marston Moor was probably Manchester's finest hour. Once on the field Manchester's foote advanced and made short of the Royalist infantry and captured their cannon. After the routing of the Parliamentarian horse by Gorings Royalist Northern Horse the right flank of the Parliamentarian foote began to flee the field. Manchester managed to rally about 500 men and stayed on the field. Manchester's and five other Parliamentarian regiments managed to hold the centre until relieved by Cromwell and the Eastern Association Horse. Parliament losses were light and the Royalists were routed. The Royalist cause in the North had been dealt a fatal blow.

However Manchester was fiercely critised by Oliver Cromwell for what he saw as incompetence and Royalist sympathy. Cromwell was Manchester's Lieutenant General of Horse and a highly successful soldier. Cromwell thought that Manchester was trying to reconcile with the King instead of being decisive and victorious. Manchester is quoted as saying ' if we beat the king ninety nine times yet he is king still, and his posterity and we his subjects still, but if the king beat us once we should be hanged and our posterity undone' Men loyal to the Earl of Manchester accused Cromwell of cruelty and of favouring common men as opposed to honest gentlemen.

Montagu continued an active political career until 1649, but then refused to undertake the oath of 'Engagement to the Republic' and was deprived of all his offices in 1650. The Earl became a keen supporter of the Restoration of Charles II. On the Restoration in 1660 the Earl of Manchester was reappointed Chancellor of Cambridge University, and Lord Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire. He died on May 7th 1671 at the age of 69.

Additional Information with kind permission of David Plant. http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk