BattlefieldsSiege of Pontefract Castle (second)
English Civil War

Siege of Pontefract Castle (second)

1645–1648
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Pontefract recapture 1645 · Second siege Pontefract
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians
VS
Victor
Royalists (recaptured by escalade)
Outcome
Royalists retook Pontefract by night escalade in 1645; held until 1648
The Battle

History & Significance

In a daring night escalade, a small Royalist party scaled the walls of Pontefract Castle shortly after its first surrender. The castle was held through the Second Civil War, becoming the most persistently defended Royalist fortress in England. The garrison staged raids including the killing of Colonel Rainsborough at Doncaster in 1648.

Forces Involved

Royalist escalade party: c.100

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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