BattlefieldsSiege of Winchester Castle 1645
English Civil War

Siege of Winchester Castle 1645

1645
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Winchester 1645 Civil War · Cromwell takes Winchester
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Winchester garrison)
Forces
Royalists c. 400–600; post-Naseby reduction.
VS
Victor
Parliament (Cromwell)
Forces
Parliamentarians c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
Castle surrendered after week-long bombardment; city secured for Parliament
The Battle

History & Significance

Winchester Castle and Cathedral Close were held for the King for most of the Civil War. After the Royalist defeat at Naseby in June 1645, Cromwell conducted a sweep through Hampshire storming the remaining Royalist strongholds. Winchester Castle surrendered after a week's bombardment. The civil war in Hampshire was effectively ended by this operation. Winchester later had its castle demolished to prevent future military use, leaving only the Great Hall (containing the Arthurian round table) standing.

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