BattlefieldsCholmley Defects to the King — Scarborough 1643
English Civil War

Cholmley Defects to the King — Scarborough 1643

1643
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Sir Hugh Cholmley changes sides 1643 · Parliamentary commander joins King
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliament
Forces
Parliamentarians c. 150–300; castle garrison defection.
VS
Victor
Royalists (gained Scarborough)
Forces
Royalists c. 200–400
Outcome
Sir Hugh Cholmley, Parliamentary governor of Scarborough, defected to the King and handed over the castle
The Battle

History & Significance

Sir Hugh Cholmley was Parliamentary governor of Scarborough Castle when, in March 1643, he went over to the King — taking the castle, its garrison, and its strategic port with him. His defection shocked Parliament and gave the Royalists control of the key harbour on the Yorkshire coast. Cholmley's change of sides reflected the genuine complexity of allegiances in 1643 when many on both sides still hoped for a settlement. He held Scarborough for the King until its fall in 1645.

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