Sir Thomas Fairfax launched a surprise attack on the Royalist garrison at Wakefield in Yorkshire on 21 May 1643. Parliamentarian troops captured the town, commanders and numerous prisoners despite being outnumbered. The raid partly restored morale after the defeat at Seacroft Moor.

Wakefield was celebrated in Parliamentarian news as evidence that courage and disciplined action could reverse misfortune. Printed accounts helped establish Fairfax as a model of godly and restrained military leadership.