BattlefieldsSiege of Colchester (Second Civil War)
English Civil War

Siege of Colchester (Second Civil War)

1648
Essex, England
Also known as: Siege of Colchester 1648
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Essex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Lucas / Lisle / Norwich)
Forces
c.10,000 Parliamentarians besieging; eleven-week siege
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Fairfax)
Forces
c.6,000 Royalists inside
Outcome
Colchester surrendered 28 August 1648; Lucas and Lisle shot; 11 weeks of brutal siege
The Battle

History & Significance

The Royalist commanders drove civilians out of Colchester to preserve food; Fairfax turned them back. The town endured terrible starvation. When the Royalists surrendered, Fairfax had Generals Lucas and Lisle shot for "breach of faith" — having surrendered before and returned to arms. Their execution shocked Royalist England and was used as propaganda.

Casualties & Losses

Thousands of civilians died of disease and starvation

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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