BattlefieldsReading Siege 1643 Essex Relief March
English Civil War

Reading Siege 1643 Essex Relief March

1643
England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists
Forces
Royalist garrison under Colonel Richard Fielding approximately 3,000
VS
Victor
Parliament
Forces
Parliamentary army under Essex approximately 16,000
Outcome
Parliamentary capture of Reading; Royalist garrison surrendered on terms; Essex relief march succeeded but disease devastated the army; Reading held for Parliament but at severe cost.
The Battle

History & Significance

Reading was besieged by Parliament in April 1643 and the Earl of Essex marched his army from London to besiege the Royalist garrison. Charles I attempted a relief march but was unable to force through. After the garrison surrendered on 27 April 1643 Essex marched his men into Reading, but plague killed hundreds of his soldiers and disabled his army for the summer campaign.

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