BattlefieldsSiege of Berkeley Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Berkeley Castle

1645
Gloucestershire, England
Also known as: Berkeley Castle Garrison
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Gloucestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists
Forces
Royalist garrison c.300–500
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Rainsborough)
Forces
Parliamentary (Rainsborough) c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Berkeley Castle surrendered September 1645
The Battle

History & Significance

Berkeley Castle was a Royalist stronghold guarding the Severn crossing between Bristol and Gloucester. Colonel Rainsborough took it after a brief siege. Its fall helped sever communications between the west and the Midlands. The castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in England.

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