BattlefieldsSiege of Harlech Castle in the Civil War
English Civil War

Siege of Harlech Castle in the Civil War

1644–1647
Merionethshire, Wales
Also known as: Harlech last Royalist castle in Wales 1647 · Colonel William Owen defends Harlech
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Merionethshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Colonel William Owen)
Forces
Royalists: 44 (16 officers, 28 soldiers)
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Mytton)
Forces
Parliamentarians: c.800–1,200
Outcome
Parliamentary victory; Harlech surrenders 15 March 1647 — last Royalist castle in Wales and Britain
The Battle

History & Significance

Harlech Castle was held for the King by Colonel William Owen of Brogyntyn with a tiny garrison of 16 officers and 28 soldiers. It was the very last Royalist castle to fall in the entire Civil War — on 15 March 1647 — making it the last military stronghold of Charles I in Britain. Mytton accepted the surrender personally. The castle's extraordinary record of defiance (it had also been the last to fall in the Wars of the Roses) is the direct inspiration for "Men of Harlech."

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