BattlefieldsSiege of Portchester Castle 1644-45
English Civil War

Siege of Portchester Castle 1644-45

1644–1645
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Portchester 1644 Civil War · Parliamentarians hold Portchester
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist besieging parties
Forces
Royalist besiegers: c.800–1,200
VS
Victor
Parliament (garrison maintained)
Forces
Parliament garrison: c.200–350
Outcome
Parliamentary garrison at Portchester held throughout; provided naval base in Portsmouth Harbour
The Battle

History & Significance

Portchester Castle, with its remarkable Roman walls (among the best-preserved in northern Europe), was held for Parliament throughout the Civil War. The Royalist-held Portsmouth initially threatened it but parliamentary control of the Solent approaches made Portchester secure. The castle's position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour made it a useful secondary naval base and supply depot for the parliamentary navy operating in the Channel.

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