BattlefieldsBasing House Mine Explosion 1644
English Civil War

Basing House Mine Explosion 1644

1644
England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians
Forces
Royalist garrison under Marquess of Winchester approximately 400
VS
Victor
Royalists
Forces
Parliamentary besiegers with mining engineers
Outcome
Mining operation failed to breach Basing House; Parliamentary assault repulsed; garrison continued to hold; the mine explosion added to the legendary status of the defence.
The Battle

History & Significance

During the Parliamentary siege of Basing House in 1644, Parliamentary engineers exploded a mine beneath the outer walls in an attempt to breach the defences. The explosion killed several defenders but failed to create a practicable breach, and the subsequent assault was repulsed with heavy Parliamentary losses. The garrison under the Marquess of Winchester continued its defiant resistance.

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