Page "Siege" Paragraph 78

The exception to this rule were the English.

During the English Civil War anything which tended to prolong the struggle, or seemed like want of energy and avoidance of a decision, was bitterly resented by the men of both sides.

In France and Germany, the prolongation of a war meant continued employment for the soldiers, but in England both sides were looking to end the war quickly.

Even when in the end the New Model Army — a regular professional army — developed the original decision-compelling spirit permeated the whole organisation as was seen when pitched against regular professional continental troops the Battle of the Dunes during the Interregnum.