BattlefieldsSiege of Exeter
English Civil War

Siege of Exeter

1643
Devon, England
Also known as: First Siege of Exeter · Fall of Exeter
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliamentarians c.2,000. Siege of major south-west stronghold.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Prince Maurice)
Forces
Royalists c.8,000
Outcome
Exeter surrendered 4 September 1643; became Royalist headquarters in the west
The Battle

History & Significance

Exeter was the only significant city in the south-west to fall to the Royalists. Prince Maurice besieged it successfully. The city became the Royalist capital of the west; Queen Henrietta Maria gave birth there in 1644 and escaped to France; the city was taken back by Fairfax in April 1646.

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