For a short time the royal cause seemed in the ascendant.
Leicester had been taken by storm, Taunton was besieged, Fairfax was surrounding Oxford, but was doing nothing against the town.

On the 5th of June he was ordered to raise the siege, and to go to the Midland counties after the royal army.

On the 13th Fairfax and Cromwell joined their forces, and pursued the king, whom they overtook the next day near Naseby.
Herbert had accompanied the army of Fairfax, and seeing the number and resolution of the troops, he hoped that a victory might be gained which would terminate for good and all this disastrous conflict.

The ground round Naseby is chiefly moorland.

The king's army was drawn up a mile from Market Harborough.