BattlefieldsSiege of Donnington Castle 1644
English Civil War

Siege of Donnington Castle 1644

1644–1646
Berkshire, England
Also known as: Donnington 1644 · Royalist Donnington 1644-1646
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Berkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist garrison
Forces
Parliamentary besiegers: varying force
VS
Victor
Parliament (castle eventually surrendered 1646)
Forces
Royalist garrison: Colonel John Boys with c.200 men
Outcome
Donnington Castle held an eighteen-month siege; surrendered honourably in April 1646 as one of the last Royalist garrisons in Berkshire
The Battle

History & Significance

Donnington Castle near Newbury was one of the most stubbornly defended Royalist garrisons of the entire Civil War. It was twice relieved by Charles I himself and survived two Battles of Newbury being fought nearby. The star-shaped earthworks the garrison built remain visible to this day. Its fall in April 1646 was one of the final acts of organised Royalist resistance in southern England.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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