BattlefieldsSiege of Newark — Second Siege 1644
English Civil War

Siege of Newark — Second Siege 1644

1644
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Meldrum's Siege of Newark · Relief of Newark by Rupert 1644
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians (Sir John Meldrum)
Forces
Royalists c.3,000–4,000
VS
Victor
Royalists (Prince Rupert relieved it)
Forces
Parliamentarians c.6,000–7,000
Outcome
Rupert's rapid march caught Meldrum; Meldrum surrendered his besieging army without a fight
The Battle

History & Significance

Sir John Meldrum had Newark closely invested in 1644. Prince Rupert made a rapid march that caught the besieging army by surprise. Rather than fight Rupert's superior force, the usually competent Meldrum surrendered his entire army on terms — an ignominious capitulation that ended his active career. Newark — the "Key to the North" — remained Royalist for another two years. The town's extraordinary three-year resistance is one of the great Civil War sieges.

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