Siege of Portsmouth

Part of the English Civil War

Date	10 August – 7 September 1642
Location	Portsmouth, England
Result	Parliamentarian victory

Belligerents

Parliamentarians

Royalists

Commanders and leaders

Sir William Waller

John Urry

Lord Goring

Strength

400 rising to 800
7 ships

400+ declining to 50–60
1 ship

Casualties and losses

?
1 ship

Sir William Waller

The Siege of Portsmouth was the siege of a Royalist garrison in Portsmouth by a Parliamentarian force conducted in the early part of the English Civil War. The siege resulted in Portsmouth falling to Parliament after a little under a month of conflict.

In the lead up to the war, Portsmouth was viewed as highly valuable by both Parliament and the king. The Fortifications of Portsmouth were so strong that after it was captured by Parliament and properly garrisoned, it was suggested by some that it would take as many as 40,000 men to seize it. Its governor at the time was George Goring who managed to convince both sides of his loyalty and as a result received funds from both the king and Parliament. In 1641, Goring began to work on the town's defences. By November, Parliament had received reports that the work was focused on the landward side and this along with other claims that brought into question his loyalty to Parliament resulted in Goring receiving a summons to Parliament to explain himself. With his defence, Goring was not only able to convince the house of the innocence of his actions but received its applause and further monetary payments.

Goring declared for the king on 2 August. Parliament managed to implement a sea blockade on 8 August under Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick. On land, the Parliamentary forces were able to assemble on the top of Portsdown Hill on 10 August. Goring's preparations for a siege were far from comprehensive. Not only was his work on improving the defences incomplete but the town's stores held supplies for as little as two days. Between 10 and 12 August, the Portsmouth garrison raided the farms of Portsea Island for food with both grain and livestock being seized and either taken within the city walls or, in the case of some of the livestock, being left to graze beneath the city's guns. The Parliamentarian forces responded by landing a force with two cannons at the south east of the island and ferrying women, children, cattle and sheep across Langstone harbour to Hayling Island. At this point, Goring's forces peaked at about 500 men.

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