Parliamentarian armies attacked Charles I near Newbury in Berkshire on 27 October 1644 but failed to destroy the smaller Royalist force. The king escaped and later recovered abandoned artillery. Parliamentary frustration over the commanders' lack of cooperation accelerated demands for military reorganisation.

The inconclusive battle sharpened printed criticism of noble generals and divided leadership. It helped prepare the cultural ideal of the New Model soldier as disciplined, zealous and promoted according to ability.