BattlefieldsSiege of Caernarfon Castle
English Civil War

Siege of Caernarfon Castle

1644–1646
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Also known as: Caernarfon Castle three sieges 1644-1646 · Mytton takes Caernarfon
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Caernarfon garrison)
Forces
Royalist garrison c.150-200.
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Thomas Mytton)
Forces
Parliamentarians c.2,000-2,500
Outcome
Parliamentary victory after three sieges; Caernarfon surrenders June 1646
The Battle

History & Significance

Edward I's great symbol of English power over Wales was besieged three times during the Civil War. The castle finally surrendered to Parliamentary forces under Major-General Thomas Mytton on 5 June 1646 after the third and final siege. The garrison was allowed to march out with full honours. The castle — birthplace of the first English Prince of Wales in 1284 — remains one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. Its Civil War history is largely forgotten beneath its medieval celebrity.

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