BattlefieldsSiege of Pontefract Castle (second Civil War phase)
English Civil War

Siege of Pontefract Castle (second Civil War phase)

1648
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Pontefract 1648 second Civil War
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists
Forces
Royalists c.800–1,200.
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliamentarians c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Siege tightened throughout Second Civil War; castle not taken until March 1649
The Battle

History & Significance

During the Second Civil War the Pontefract garrison launched the celebrated raid on Doncaster in which Parliamentary general Rainsborough was killed while being kidnapped. Parliament increased the siege forces but could not breach the medieval walls. The siege became the longest single investment of the entire conflict.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Yorkshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Yorkshire