BattlefieldsSiege of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle

1644–1646
Leicestershire, England
Also known as: Ashby Castle Civil War Siege
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Leicestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Earl of Huntingdon's forces)
Forces
Royalists: c.500–800
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians
Forces
Parliamentarians: c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Ashby surrendered 1646; Hastings Tower deliberately slighted
The Battle

History & Significance

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle in Leicestershire was one of the most formidable Royalist garrisons in the East Midlands, held by Colonel Henry Hastings who conducted aggressive raiding across Leicestershire and Derbyshire. The garrison harassed Parliamentary forces and supply lines persistently. The castle only surrendered in February 1646. Parliament demolished the great Hastings Tower — though incompletely, leaving the dramatic ruined shell that still stands. Sir Walter Scott fictionally set a tournament here in 'Ivanhoe'.

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