Prince Rupert of the Rhine for a speedy success in the north. In November 1644 Rupert was appointed General of the entire Royalist army, which increased already marked tensions between him and a number of the King's councillors. By May 1645, and now desperately short of supplies, Rupert captured Leicester, but suffered a severe reversal at the Battle of Naseby a month later. Although Rupert had counselled the King against accepting battle at Naseby, the opinions of Digby had won the day in council: nonetheless, Rupert's defeat damaged him, rather than Digby, politically. After Naseby, Rupert regarded the Royalist cause as lost, and urged Charles
Battle of Selby fairly short order the town fell. With the fall of the town huge stocks of munitions and more than 1,500 Royalist soldiers were lost to the Parliamentarians. The road from Hull to York was now opened for a Parliamentary advance on York, which they were able to besiege. When Royalist forces under Prince Rupert, relieved York and combined with the garrisons forces, Rupert felt strong enough to engage in the pitched Battle of Marston Moor, however the Parliamentarians and Scottish Covenanters won the battle and with that victory consolidated their position in the north-east, depriving the Royalists of the area.