sieges

The Siege of Pavia: Defeating the Lombards, 773-774

In the second part of our special, Stephen Roberts reveals how a key victory helped Charlemagne establish the foundations for the Holy Roman Empire.

The Nine Years War: 1688-1697

Graham Goodlad analyses Britain’s role in the long-running struggle against French domination of the Low Countries.

Below Gustavus Adolphus, the Swedish king, at the Battle of Breitenfeld, 17 September 1631, the first major Protestant victory of the Thirty Years’ War. Painted by Johann Walter (1594 1634).

The Thirty Years’ War: 1618-1648

Stephen Roberts traces the history of the Thirty Years’ War, Europe’s most destructive conflict prior to the First World War.

Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz: A tale of two sieges, January-April 1812

Graham Goodlad describes the capture of two key frontier fortresses, whose fall opened Spain to the advance of Wellington’s army.

The Past

Ancient Fortifications Quiz

Maiden Castle is one of Europe's largest Iron Age hillforts. In which English county is it situated?

Below Excavations exploring the remains of the Civil War defences of King’s Lynn in July 2022. While 40° temperatures restricted activity during the early part of Week 1, work continued with enthusiasm undimmed.

King’s Lynn under siege: how a small field in North Lynn illuminated Civil War fortress engineering

This year is the 380th anniversary of the Siege of King’s Lynn, an important but often overlooked engagement during the Civil War. David Flintham presents the latest findings of a community archaeology project exploring the town’s fortifications.

Spain at war: a country divided

Chris Bambery traces the history of the Spanish Civil War and sets the scene for the conflict’s bloodiest battle.

Campaigns of the Eastern Association: the rise of Oliver Cromwell, 1642-1645

REVIEW BY DAVID FLINTHAM At the outbreak of the English Civil War, Parliament organised much of its fighting strength geographically; in the case of East Anglia (eventually including Huntingdonshire and Lincolnshire) this was the Eastern Association, which would become arguably…

English Civil War defences unearthed in King’s Lynn

The excavations featured in a recent episode of The Great British Dig.

The Past

Castles Quiz

Medieval castles are often described as being of 'motte and bailey’ construction. But what is a motte?

The English Civil War

Review of 'The English Civil War:
An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639–51' and 'English Civil War: Operations Manual'.