Although present at the First Battle of Newburyin September, his priority was to rebuild Wallingford's defences, a process completed by the end of the year. During the 1644 Royalist offensive in South West England, he commanded a brigade at Cropredy Bridge, Lostwithiel and Second Newbury. Although Lostwithiel was a major victory, Charles ignored his nephew Prince Rupert, who cautioned being so far away left the garrisons around Oxford dangerously exposed (see Map). He was proved correct when the Parliamentarians captured Abingdon in July 1644, threatening the entire Royalist position in the Thames Valley. Coupled with the loss of Reading in 1643, retaining Wallingford became absolutely vital.