Siege of Lichfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Lichfield (April 1643)
Part of the First English Civil War
Lichfield Cathedral at the centre of the Close.
Date 8–21 April 1643 Location Lichfield Result Royalist victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Prince Rupert	Colonel Russell
Strength
1,200 horse c.600–700 foot

The Siege of Lichfield was an important battle during the First English Civil War. It happened from April 8 to April 21, 1643. During this time, soldiers loyal to King Charles I (called Royalists) attacked and captured the city of Lichfield in Staffordshire. The Royalist forces were led by Prince Rupert. They fought against the Parliamentary soldiers, who were led by Colonel Russell. The Royalists won this battle.

Why the Siege Happened

Before this siege, the Royalists had already taken control of the Cathedral Close, Lichfield. This is the area around Lichfield Cathedral. But then, a Parliamentarian leader named Lord Brooke attacked and took it back. Lord Brooke was killed during that fight.

King Charles I wanted Lichfield back for the Royalists. He needed it to be a Royalist base. The King's army needed a lot of ammunition. Most of their supplies came from the northern parts of England.

However, getting supplies from the north to the King's main base in Oxford was hard. The routes went through areas that supported Parliament. It was very risky to send messages or supplies.

So, the King decided to set up a Royalist base in Lichfield. This would make it easier to protect the supply convoys. From Lichfield, soldiers could go out and guard the ammunition as it traveled.

Prince Rupert was given a special mission. He had three main goals:

• First, he was to punish the people of Birmingham. They had been making weapons for Parliament. They had also insulted the King earlier.
• Second, he was to set up a Royalist base in Lichfield.
• Third, he was to clear out any Parliamentarian forces in the surrounding areas.

To do this, Prince Rupert had a strong force. He had about 1,200 horsemen and 600 to 700 foot soldiers. He left Oxford on March 29, 1643. He traveled through several towns. On April 8, he finally reached Lichfield.

The Siege Begins

When Prince Rupert arrived in Lichfield on April 8, 1643, he immediately asked the city to surrender. Colonel Russell, who was in charge of the Parliamentarian soldiers there, sent back a very strong message.

Colonel Russell said he had heard about Rupert burning houses in Birmingham. He called it an act "not becoming a gentleman, a Christian, or Englishman." He also said Rupert didn't even own a "thatched house" himself. Because of this, Colonel Russell refused to give up the city. He didn't care what authority Rupert claimed to have.

So, Prince Rupert began the siege. His soldiers worked for a week. By Sunday, April 16, they had made holes in the city walls. These holes were big enough to attack through. Rupert ordered his soldiers to storm the city. But the Royalists were pushed back by the Parliamentarian defenders.

The siege continued for several more days. On Friday, April 21, Rupert ordered another attack. This time, the Royalists used an explosive mine. This was one of the first times such a mine was used in England. The mine blew up part of the wall of the Close. After this explosion, the Parliamentarian soldiers inside surrendered. They agreed to certain conditions for their surrender.

What Happened Next

After surrendering, the Parliamentarian soldiers were allowed to leave Lichfield. They took their belongings with them. They were escorted safely to Coventry, which was a Parliamentarian stronghold.

Prince Rupert had completed his mission. He did not stay long in Lichfield. The day after the surrender, he left some of his soldiers to guard the town. Then, he set off to return to Oxford. He arrived back in Oxford on April 24, 1643.