The two pre-eminent commanders, in the south-west, during the English Civil War were Ralph Hopton and William Waller. 

Hopton was local to the Wessex region, being born in Witham (Somerset).  Waller was born in Kent, although later becoming a resident of Hampshire. 

During the Thirty Years’ War, Hopton and Waller had become close friends, both being involved in rescuing Elizabeth, sister of King Charles I, from Catholic forces in Prague.  This was part of the expedition to restore Frederick V and Elizabeth to the Palitinate throne.  

On their return to England their paths started to diverge.  

Hopton retained his staunch support for the King, and was arrested by Parliament for his vociferous defence of the attempt, by King Charles I, to arrest the 5 members of Parliament who were attempting to usurp power from the Monarchy.  He was to spend two weeks in the Tower of London before his release, and his declaration of allegiance to the King. 

Waller married, but his first wife died after giving birth to a second child.  He later married Anne Finch, a staunch Puritan.  It was around this this time he gained an interest in politcs and stood for Parliament.  Although being defeated, he tried again and was elected MP for Andover. 

Their paths were to converge again on the battlefields of Wessex …