With Sir Henry Lunsford's infantry leading the way, the Royalists made slow progress due to their prisoners and loot, with their column spread out along two miles.
By 08:30, the rearguard was in contact with Hampden and Gunter, who had been joined by 100 dragoons under Colonel Dalbier, an experienced German mercenary.
Realising he could not outrun his pursuers, Rupert ordered Lunsford to keep moving, and secure the bridge at Chiselhampton.

Their route took them along a bridleway, bounded by a 'Great Hedge', a double line of thick, shoulder-high hedgerows used to mark parish boundaries, and prevent cattle straying.
This secured their flanks, while Lord Wentworth's dragoons set up an ambush further along the hedgerow (see Map), while Rupert's cavalry formed up in an open field.
By now, the Parliamentarian forces on the scene consisted of around 200 cavalry, plus the dragoons.

Dalbier moved his dragoons up to the hedge, and opened fire on the Royalist cavalry; this prompted Prince Rupert into an attack, allegedly leaping the hedge while the rest of his men made their way around.
Dalbier withdrew, reinforced by Hampden and Gunter; their troops initially held their ground, but were heavily outnumbered, and broke.
For once, Rupert's men halted their pursuit, probably since their horses were exhausted, and withdrew to Chiselhampton, where they remained until the next day.

Most accounts indicate that by the time Stapleton arrived, the fighting was largely over, although it has been suggested otherwise, primarily by Royalist statesman and historian, the Earl of Clarendon.
The suggestion Parliamentary casualties contained a disproportionate number of senior officers also originates with Clarendon.

Total casualties are unclear, partly because contemporary reports often fail to distinguish between those incurred at Chinnor, the skirmish with the rearguard, and the battle itself.
The Royalists reported a total of 45 for both sides, Essex suggested 50 each, including Gunter, who was killed close to the hedge, and Hampden.
Shot twice in the shoulder, the wound became infected, and he died six days later.
Later claims these injuries were caused by the explosion of his own pistol have not been substantiated.
With Sir Henry Lunsford's infantry leading the way, the Royalists made slow progress due to their prisoners and loot, with their column spread out along two miles. By 08:30, the rearguard was in contact with Hampden and Gunter, who had been joined by 100 dragoons under Colonel Dalbier, an experienced German mercenary. Realising he could not outrun his pursuers, Rupert ordered Lunsford to keep moving, and secure the bridge at Chiselhampton.
Their route took them along a bridleway, bounded by a 'Great Hedge', a double line of thick, shoulder-high hedgerows used to mark parish boundaries, and prevent cattle straying. This secured their flanks, while Lord Wentworth's dragoons set up an ambush further along the hedgerow (see Map), while Rupert's cavalry formed up in an open field. By now, the Parliamentarian forces on the scene consisted of around 200 cavalry, plus the dragoons.
Dalbier moved his dragoons up to the hedge, and opened fire on the Royalist cavalry; this prompted Prince Rupert into an attack, allegedly leaping the hedge while the rest of his men made their way around. Dalbier withdrew, reinforced by Hampden and Gunter; their troops initially held their ground, but were heavily outnumbered, and broke. For once, Rupert's men halted their pursuit, probably since their horses were exhausted, and withdrew to Chiselhampton, where they remained until the next day.
Most accounts indicate that by the time Stapleton arrived, the fighting was largely over, although it has been suggested otherwise, primarily by Royalist statesman and historian, the Earl of Clarendon. The suggestion Parliamentary casualties contained a disproportionate number of senior officers also originates with Clarendon.
Total casualties are unclear, partly because contemporary reports often fail to distinguish between those incurred at Chinnor, the skirmish with the rearguard, and the battle itself. The Royalists reported a total of 45 for both sides, Essex suggested 50 each, including Gunter, who was killed close to the hedge, and Hampden. Shot twice in the shoulder, the wound became infected, and he died six days later. Later claims these injuries were caused by the explosion of his own pistol have not been substantiated.
Battle of Chalgrove Field