After the execution of Charles I the Scots began negotiations with the former king's son, Charles. Expecting an attack from the north, Oliver Cromwell decided on a pre-emptive strike by attacking the Royalist army led by David Leslie at Dunbar.

Charles reorganized his forces and then headed south. On 22nd August 1651 the royalists took the city of Worcester. Twelve days later Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army launched a massive attack against the city. Over the next few hours over 3,000 royalists were killed and 10,000 were captured. Charles escaped and eventually managed to get to France.

The defeat of the Royalist forces at Worcester marked the end of the English Civil War.