BattlefieldsSiege of Caister Castle (Paston Family — 1469)
Medieval

Siege of Caister Castle (Paston Family — 1469)

1469
Norfolk, England
Also known as: Norfolk besieges Caister 1469 · Paston family siege 1469
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Paston family
Forces
Paston garrison c.100–200.
VS
Victor
Duke of Norfolk
Forces
Norfolk's besiegers c.1,000–2,000
Outcome
Caister Castle surrendered after six-week siege; one defender killed
The Battle

History & Significance

The Duke of Norfolk besieged Caister Castle to wrest it from the Paston family who had inherited it from Sir John Fastolf. The Pastons held it with a small garrison for six weeks before surrendering. The episode is richly documented in the Paston Letters — the most extensive collection of private correspondence from medieval England — and illustrates the arbitrary power of Yorkist magnates over the gentry.

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