BattlefieldsSiege of Donington Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Donington Castle

1644–1646
Leicestershire, England
Also known as: Donnington Castle siege 1644-46 · Siege of Donnington Castle Berkshire
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Leicestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians
Forces
Royalist garrison c.200-300.
VS
Victor
Royalists (held through repeated sieges)
Forces
Parliamentarians c.2,000-3,000
Outcome
Castle held through repeated Parliamentary assaults; Charles I relieved it after Second Newbury; finally surrendered April 1646 on King's direct order
The Battle

History & Significance

The twin-towered gatehouse of Donnington Castle near Newbury became a symbol of Royalist endurance. After the Second Battle of Newbury (October 1644), Charles I personally marched back and relieved the garrison under Colonel John Boys — one of his last effective strategic interventions. Parliament besieged it again and Boys held out until 1646. The ruin of the gatehouse tower still stands.

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