Historical Events tagged with "siege"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

Surrender of Castle Cornet in Guernsey

December 15th, 1651 373 years ago

Castle Cornet, the last Royalist stronghold during the Third English Civil War, capitulated to Parliamentary forces after a protracted siege. The fall of this fortress marked a significant blow to the Royalist cause and symbolized the consolidation of Parliamentary power in the Channel Islands. The surrender was led by Sir Henry Seymour, who acknowledged the overwhelming siege laid by Oliver Cromwell's forces, which had severely diminished supplies and morale. The event signified the end of active resistance in the region and catalyzed the consolidation of Parliamentary authority across the British Isles.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

New Ross Town Surrenders to Oliver Cromwell

October 19th, 1649 375 years ago

After a siege led by English troops, New Ross, a strategic town in Ireland, capitulated to Oliver Cromwell's forces. The surrender marked an important gain for the Parliamentarians during the conquest of Ireland in 1649. Cromwell aimed to suppress Royalist and Catholic opposition in Ireland and consolidate power for the Commonwealth.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Cromwell's New Model Army Sacks Wexford

October 11th, 1649 375 years ago

In a brutal assault on the Irish town of Wexford, Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army captured the city, leading to the deaths of over 2,000 Irish Confederate troops and around 1,500 civilians. The siege culminated in a fierce battle, which resulted in widespread devastation as troops stormed the town and exacted a severe toll on the defenders and the populace. Cromwell's forces aimed to suppress the Irish Confederate resistance and solidify control over Ireland.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Cromwell's Forces Capture Drogheda

September 11th, 1649 375 years ago

Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian troops successfully besieged Drogheda, a fortified town in Ireland, leading to the capture of its garrison. After weeks of intense fighting, the decisive assault resulted in heavy casualties, with many defenders executed afterward. This campaign was a key moment in Cromwell's military campaign in Ireland, reflecting the ruthless measures he employed against loyalist forces.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Destruction of Castro by Pope Innocent X

September 2nd, 1649 375 years ago

The Italian city of Castro was completely destroyed by the forces of Pope Innocent X, marking a decisive moment in the Wars of Castro. This military action, driven by the Pope's desire to consolidate power and enforce Papal authority, involved a lengthy siege and significant military strategies that ultimately led to the city's fall. The siege lasted several months, during which the city faced starvation and increasing military pressure. Upon its capture, many of its inhabitants either fled or were killed, signaling a pivotal point in the conflict over territories in the Papal States.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Royalist Forces Surrender at Colchester

August 28th, 1648 376 years ago

After an intense eleven-week siege during the Second English Civil War, Royalist forces surrendered to Parliamentarian troops in Colchester. The siege, marked by food shortages and fierce combat, ended with the capitulation of the defenders, led by Governor Sir Charles Lucas. This defeat significantly weakened Royalist military power in England.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Scottish Covenanters Lift Siege of Hereford

September 1st, 1645 379 years ago

Scottish Covenanter forces ended their siege of Hereford, a key Cavalier stronghold in England. This decision followed news of significant Royalist victories in Scotland, which shifted the balance of power. The siege had lasted for a month, reflecting the intensity of the English Civil War and the strategic importance of Hereford in the conflict between Parliamentarians and Royalists.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Siege of Hereford by Covenanter Forces

July 30th, 1645 379 years ago

Scottish Covenanter forces commanded by the Earl of Leven laid siege to Hereford, a key Royalist stronghold, during the English Civil War. The Covenanters aimed to weaken Royalist control in the region. The siege marked a significant military action in the ongoing conflict between Parliamentarians and Royalists, highlighting the involvement of Scottish forces in the English struggle for power.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Bolton Massacre by Royalist Troops

May 28th, 1644 380 years ago

Royalist troops commanded by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, besieged Bolton, leading to a violent attack on the town's population. The assault resulted in the deaths of around 1,600 people, including civilians, as the Royalists aimed to recapture the strategic location during their campaign against Parliamentarian forces. The brutality of the massacre left a lasting impact on the region's loyalty and efforts during the English Civil War.

Continue Reading