BattlefieldsSiege of Pontefract Castle (Third)
English Civil War

Siege of Pontefract Castle (Third)

1648–1649
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Third Siege of Pontefract · Last Royalist Garrison
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Morrice)
Forces
Royalists c.200–400
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliament c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Last English castle to surrender, March 1649; garrison learned of the King's execution during the siege
The Battle

History & Significance

The final Royalist garrison in England surrendered at Pontefract in March 1649, after Charles I had already been executed. The garrison had carried out a daring raid in which they captured Colonel Rainsborough, who was killed in the struggle — a controversial incident. The castle's surrender ended the last armed resistance of the First and Second Civil Wars.

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