This major examination of the Royalist armies and their role in the war describes and analyzes the organization, recruitment, training, arms, equipment, tactics and performance of the Royalist armies and compares them to their parliamentarian, or Roundhead counterparts. There is coverage of some of the more notable and colourful figures among the King's officers, and the reasons for the Royalist defeat are also examined. The second part of the book details a variety of engagements, episodes, units and individuals, illustrating different aspects of the Royalist armies at war.