BattlefieldsSiege of Hurst Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Hurst Castle

1642–1648
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Hurst Castle 1642 · Civil War Hurst Castle
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists
Forces
Royalists c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliamentarians c.400–600 (garrison)
Outcome
Hurst Castle held for Parliament; Charles I imprisoned here December 1648 before trial
The Battle

History & Significance

Hurst Castle on the Hampshire coast spit held for Parliament throughout the Civil War. Its most significant moment came in December 1648 when Colonel Pride's Purge cleared Parliament: Colonel Robert Hammond, governor of the Isle of Wight (where Charles I had been held at Carisbrooke), surrendered the King to the Army. Charles was taken to Hurst Castle — a bleak, remote fortress — before being brought to London for trial and execution.

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