When the First English Civil War began in August 1642, he quickly became a trusted and reliable Royalist brigade commander, and as governor of Wallingford Castle was one of the last to surrender in July 1646.

[2] Ambrose Blagge owned Little Horringer Hall near Bury St Edmunds and was part of a wealthy and well connected circle of Suffolk gentry; his father Henry (1549-1596) had been MP for Sudbury.

[5] His family background placed Blagge firmly in the ranks of the middle to upper class county gentry, connections which resulted in an appointment as Groom of the Chamber to Charles I.

[8] Blagge was appointed Governor of Wallingford Castle, a Royal possession that controlled a vital crossing point over the River Thames, but whose fortifications had been allowed to decay over the last 50 years.

[10] Although Lostwithiel was a major victory, Charles had ignored advice from his nephew Prince Rupert, who cautioned the absence of the field army left Royalist garrisons around Oxford dangerously exposed (see Map).

Besieged by the New Model Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax, Blagge did not capitulate until 27 July when his men were starving and close to mutiny, although the stubborn defence meant he secured good terms.

[13] When the Royalists were defeated at Worcester in September, he helped Charles evade capture; although arrested himself, he managed to escape from the Tower of London and rejoin the court.