The Bury Conference was held on 30 January, 1645 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk by committeemen of the Eastern Association to discuss their concerns about the proposed New Model Army. The Eastern Association had provided a major portion of the Parliamentarian Army which had proved victorious at the Battle of Marston Moor in July 1644. However the new proposals for a professional national standing army distinct from the functions of civilian administration was at odds with use of trained bands with which the Eastern Association had played such a major role in meeting the military challenges of the Royalist Army.[1]: 191