BattlefieldsSiege of Pontefract Castle — Third (1648-1649 AD)
English Civil War

Siege of Pontefract Castle — Third (1648-1649 AD)

1648–1649
West Riding, England
Also known as: Third siege of Pontefract · Last English castle to surrender
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
West Riding, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Sir Richard Morrice)
Forces
Royalists c.200–400
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliament c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Last castle in England to surrender, March 1649; garrison learned of the King's execution during the siege
The Battle

History & Significance

Pontefract Castle was the last Royalist garrison in England to surrender — in March 1649, six weeks after Charles I's execution. The garrison learned of the King's death during the siege. Sir Richard Morrice's defenders continued their resistance until all hope was gone. Parliament immediately ordered the castle demolished; it was blown up so thoroughly that only fragments survive, making Pontefract one of the most completely destroyed of England's great medieval fortresses.

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