Sieges of Taunton
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The sieges of Taunton were a series of three blockades during the First English Civil War. The town of Taunton, in Somerset, was considered to be of strategic importance because it controlled the main
Taunton Castle
Robert Blake commanded the Parliamentarian defence of Taunton during the sieges.
John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton struggled to assert his authority over the Royalist troops.
George Goring, Lord Goring renewed the Royalist siege in 1645.
Edmund Wyndham
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Sir Edmund Wyndham was a Somerset landowner, and Member of Parliament on different occasions between 1625 and 1679. He supported the Parliamentary opposition to Charles I, until 1630, when his wife wa
Sieges of Taunton
…Robert Blake commanded the town's Parliamentarian defences during all three sieges, from September 1644 to July 1645. The first siege was laid by Edmund Wyndham on 23 September, and was primarily composed of Royalist troops from local Somerset garrisons. After initial assaults drove Blake and his troops back…
St Decuman's, Wyndham Chapel
Remains of Kentsford House, now farm; Edmund was the last Wyndham to live here
Wyndham's political opponent, the Earl of Clarendon, ca 1653
Charles II in exile