Colchester - St Leonard-at-the-Hythe

During the Siege of Colchester in 1648 Royalists soldiers used the church as a fort, with marksmen and musketeers lined up on the roof and tower, whilst the nave was used as stables. Musket holes made in the medieval door can stll be seen.

Although the battle for the church lasted only a few hours, the entire siege lasted for 11 weeks. Local people supported the Parliamentarians, more so once Royalist soldiers trapped in the town began requisitioning provisions. After a few weeks provisions ran out and people ate dogs, cats and horses. The siege had started in mid-June: by August people were literally starving but despite their desperate pleas, the Parliamentarian commander Lord-General Fairfax refused to let any supplies into the town. or local people to leave. The siege ended on 28 August 1648 when the Royalist soldiers laid down their arms following news of Cromwell's vctory at the battle of Preston. The terms of surrender were that the junior officers and common soldiers were allowed to go free: senior officers were found guilty of High Treason and sentenced to death by firing squad.