Sieges of the English Civil War"Sieges determined the course of the English Civil Wars, yet they receive scant attention ... From the start of the Civil Wars sieges of cities, towns, ports, castles, manor houses and religious buildings were crucial to the conduct of the fighting ... Between 300 and 450 sieges took place, and at least a quarter of all wartime casualties were incurred during these clashes ... As John Barratt shows, possession of key strategic locations, towns and garrisons was of vital importance to all sides in the war, and frequently exerted a much wider influence on their strategies and campaigns. As well as looking at the theory and practice of siege warfare and fortification ... Barratt considers the often-devastating human impact. Using a selection of graphic examples, he shows how siege warfare could ruin the lives of the soldiers -- and the civilians -- caught up in it. He examines in detail a dozen sieges, using a combination of eyewitness accounts, other contemporary sources, archaeological surveys, and other modern research. His study provides a detailed reconstruction of these often neglected episodes of civil war history"--Jacket. |
Contents
Newark 16431646 | 127 |
Basing House 1645 and Drogheda 1649 | 144 |
Aftermath | 167 |
Copyright | |
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action approaches arms Army arrival assault attack attempt Basing Beeston began besiegers breach Bristol called cannon Captain carried Castle Chester Civil civilian claimed close Colonel command condition considerable constructed continued Cromwell defences Denbigh ditch effect enemy England English example fell fighting fire foot forces Fort fortifications further garrison Gate Governor ground guns hands Hill hope horse House Ibid John July June killed King known later Lathom Lieutenant London Lord major March military moat mounted musketeers Newark night North October officers operations ordered Outer Oxford Parliament Parliamentarian Pendennis Plymouth present Prince prisoners probably quarter Regiment reinforcements relief remained reported result River Royalist Rupert sally sent September shot side siege soldiers South storm strong summons supplies surrender taken Thomas took Tower town troops walls West whilst Worcester