The siege of Colchester in 1648 was the principal military event of the Second Civil War in eastern England. A Royalist force under Sir George Lisle and Sir Charles Lucas seized Colchester and held it against Fairfax for 76 days. The town suffered enormously from bombardment and starvation; St Mary\'s church was used as a powder magazine. On surrender, Lucas and Lisle were shot in the castle bailey, a controversial decision seen as a war crime by their supporters. The siege demonstrated Parliament\'s determination to crush any further resistance ruthlessly.
Lucas and Lisle executed; civilian and military losses from siege warfare and starvation
Parliamentary: Fairfax with New Model Army and siege artillery. Royalist: Lucas and Lisle with c.4,000 cavalry and infantry
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