JOHN BARRATT is a freelance writer specialising in military history, particularly that of the seventeenth century. His previous publications include: Cavaliers: the Royalist Army at War, 1642-46 (Sutton, 2000), which was shortlisted for the 2001 Templer Military History Medal; The Battle for York: Marston Moor 1644 (2002); The Great Siege of Chester (2003); Cavalier Generals (2004), Civil War in the South-West (2005) and The First Battle of Newbury 1643 (2005). He is a frequent contributor to various journals, including Military Illustrated, Military History and Miniature Wargames, and lectures at the National Army Museum and Royal Armouries.