BattlefieldsSiege of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

1646
Leicestershire, England
Also known as: Ashby Castle Civil War
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Leicestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Hastings)
Forces
Royalists c.200-300 garrison
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliamentarians c.2,500-3,500
Outcome
Ashby surrendered February 1646; subsequently slighted
The Battle

History & Significance

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle was a major Royalist garrison in Leicestershire held by the Hastings family (Earls of Huntingdon), who were fervent Royalists. The garrison raided extensively across Leicestershire and Staffordshire. It held out until February 1646, surrendering on honourable terms. Parliament subsequently blew up the tower, creating the dramatic leaning ruin that survives today. The castle's role in Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" has given it literary fame.

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