Siege of Newcastle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Newcastle
Part of the First English Civil War
Engraving of Newcastle Castle
Date 3 February - 27 October 1644 Location Newcastle upon Tyne Result Scottish victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Covenanters
Commanders and leaders
Sir John Marlay	Earl of Leven Earl of Callander

The Siege of Newcastle was a big event during the First English Civil War. It happened from February 3 to October 27, 1644. During this time, a Scottish army, called the Covenanters, surrounded the city of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Covenanters were led by Lord General Alexander Leslie. Inside Newcastle, the city was defended by Royalist soldiers. These Royalists supported King Charles I. Their leader was Sir John Marlay, the city's governor.

After many months, the Covenanters attacked and took over Newcastle. The Royalist soldiers who were still fighting in the castle keep eventually gave up. This was not the first time Newcastle had been taken over. The Scots had also held the city in 1640 during the Second Bishops’ War.

The Scottish Invasion Begins

In January 1644, a Scottish Covenanter army marched into England. This army was led by Lord General Leslie. As Leslie moved his main army further south, he left some of his troops behind.

About six groups of soldiers, led by Lieutenant General James Livingstone, 1st Earl of Callander, stayed to surround Newcastle. They began their siege on February 3, 1644. Before attacking, they formally asked the city to surrender.

The Battle of Marston Moor

The siege of Newcastle was not constant at first. Lieutenant General Callander's troops also attacked nearby towns, like Newburn. Meanwhile, the main Covenanter army continued to move south.

The Royalist governor, Sir John Marlay, made his city's defenses stronger. He also sent some of his soldiers to help the Royalist army in the south. These armies fought a huge battle at Marston Moor on July 2, 1644.

The Royalists lost badly at Marston Moor. This defeat was a major turning point. It meant that Newcastle and other Royalist strongholds in the North East of England were now on their own. No help could reach them during a siege.

Final Attack and Surrender

On August 15, 1644, the Covenanters, now joined by Lord General Leslie's main army, focused again on Newcastle and Tynemouth. They used cannons to bombard the city walls. They also dug tunnels and used mines to blow up parts of the walls.

On October 19, 1644, the western part of Newcastle's wall collapsed. The Royalist soldiers who were still loyal to the King retreated into the Castle Keep. They realized their situation was hopeless.

On October 27, 1644, the Royalist governor, Sir John Marlay, talked with General Leslie. They agreed on terms for surrender. The Covenanters promised to be fair to the soldiers. However, some Royalist leaders, including Marlay, were later put in prison or sent away from the country.

What Happened Next

The Covenanters were very happy about taking Newcastle. They were even happier than the English Parliament. Tynemouth also fell on October 27, 1644.

With Newcastle under their control, the Scots could now manage the important coal trade from the River Tyne. They kept control of this trade until January 30, 1647. At that time, they were convinced to leave as the Solemn League and Covenant agreement ended.