It opened in the autumn of that year (1642) with the battle of
Edgehill, Warwickshire, and was at first favorable to the King. On
his side were a majority of the nobility, the clergy and the country
gentlemen. They were mainly members of the Church of England and were
known collectively as Cavaliers, from their dashing and daring
horsemanship. Their leader was Prince Rupert, a nephew of Charles.[1]
[1] See "A charge with Prince Rupert," _Atlantic Monthly_, III, 725.
On the side of Parliament were the shopkeepers, small farmers and
landowners, with a considerable number of men of high rank; as a rule
they were Puritans (S378). The King's party nicknamed them
"Roundheads," because, despising the long locks and effeminate
ringlets worn by the Cavaliers, they cut their hair short so that it
showed the shape of the head.[2] Essex and Fairfax were the first
leaders of the "Roundheads"; later, Cromwell became their commander.
[2] "Those roundheaded dogs that bawled against bishops," said the
Cavaliers.