Siege of Reading
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Reading refers to the English Civil War
military campaign waged to besiege a Royalist garrison quartered in the town of Reading, Berkshire
from 4 November 1642 to 25 April 1643.
returned to Oxford
from the indecisive Battle of Edgehill
(23 October). On 4 November, he entered Reading from Oxford and later that month retired leaving a Royalist garrison, of 2,000 foot soldiers and a cavalry regiment, under Sir Arthur Aston.
The town and townspeople suffered many privations due to the demands of the garrison for money and lodging.
On 13 April 1643, the Earl of Essex
at the head of a Parliamentary army of 16,000 men left Windsor
and laid siege to Reading using cannon. Despite attempts by the King and Prince Rupert
to lift the siege, the Royalist garrison surrendered on 26 and 27 April 1643.
Reading stayed a Parliamentary possession for the remainder of the Civil War, except for a single Royalist incursion.
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
military campaign waged to besiege a Royalist garrison quartered in the town of Reading, Berkshire
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
from 4 November 1642 to 25 April 1643.
Background
In late October 1642, King CharlesCharles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
returned to Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
from the indecisive Battle of Edgehill
Battle of Edgehill
The Battle of Edgehill was the first pitched battle of the First English Civil War. It was fought near Edge Hill and Kineton in southern Warwickshire on Sunday, 23 October 1642....
(23 October). On 4 November, he entered Reading from Oxford and later that month retired leaving a Royalist garrison, of 2,000 foot soldiers and a cavalry regiment, under Sir Arthur Aston.
The town and townspeople suffered many privations due to the demands of the garrison for money and lodging.
On 13 April 1643, the Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex was an English Parliamentarian and soldier during the first half of the seventeenth century. With the start of the English Civil War in 1642 he became the first Captain-General and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army, also known as the Roundheads...
at the head of a Parliamentary army of 16,000 men left Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
and laid siege to Reading using cannon. Despite attempts by the King and Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert of the Rhine
Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, 1st Duke of Cumberland, 1st Earl of Holderness , commonly called Prince Rupert of the Rhine, KG, FRS was a noted soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century...
to lift the siege, the Royalist garrison surrendered on 26 and 27 April 1643.
Reading stayed a Parliamentary possession for the remainder of the Civil War, except for a single Royalist incursion.