Sir John Byron's convoy[edit]

Sir John Byron's treasure convoy brought the opposing sides to Worcester.

Sir John Byron was a strong supporter of King Charles and raised what was probably
the first Royalist cavalry regiment of the war. In August, he occupied Oxford with that
160-strong regiment until it was forced to withdraw on 10 September by a larger
Parliamentarian force. Byron's regiment left with a large convoy of gold and silver
plate donated by Oxford University to help fund the King's war preparations. Heading
toward the Royalist forces in Shrewsbury, Byron became aware of the proximity of the
Parliamentarian army and chose to seek refuge. On 16 September, he stopped
at Worcester,[15] a large town on the River Severn surrounded by medieval city walls in
poor condition.[16] Aware that he would not be able to hold the city, Byron awaited
reinforcements.[15]