Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Preston (Civil War).

Fought August 17, 1648, when Langdale, with 4,000 Royalists, was deserted by the main body of the Scottish invading army, and left to face the attack of about 8,000 Parliamentarians under Cromwell. The Royalists fought desperately for four hours, but were overpowered, and the whole force killed or captured.