Cropredy bridge featured at least twice in the English Civil War. On 23 October 1642 King Charles I and part of his Royalist army crossed the bridge "en route" from Edgcote, Northamptonshire to Edge Hill, Warwickshire to confront a Parliamentarian force led by Earl of Essex in the Battle of Edgehill. On 29 June 1644 Royalist and Parliamentarian forces fought each other for control of the bridge in the Battle of Cropredy Bridge. The Royalist force was personally led in battle by Charles I. It defeated the Parliamentarian force, which was commanded by Sir William Waller.