Since the Dissolution only the walls of the Newarke can be
said have played a significant role in Leicester’s
history. These walls were well constructed and remained in a reasonable state
of repair when England
entered into Civil War in the 1640s. Leicester
supported Parliament and was held for Parliament for most of the war. Efforts
were made to put the town’s defences in good repair, including adding three
bastions to the Newarke and digging a defensive ditch to protect it from attack
from the south.
However, when the main Royalist Army, commanded by Prince Rupert, approached
in the late spring of 1645 it was soon apparent that the whole town could not
be defended against such a large force. The garrison withdrew to the castle and
the Newarke, establishing a powder magazine in the gatehouse in the northeast
corner of the Newarke. After a few skirmishes, the Royalists entered the town
itself and set about reducing the garrison in the castle and Newarke. After
some negotiations Rupert set up his artillery to the south of the Newarke and
ordered his guns to open fire. After a brief bombardment the garrison
surrendered.
