page_title: Siege of Bridgwater (1645)
section_title: Aftermath
hierarchical_section_title: Siege of Bridgwater (1645) / Aftermath
caption_attribution_description: English: West Quay, Bridgwater from the old town bridge This was once a working river frontage but has now been prettified.
context_page_description: The Siege of Bridgwater took place in July 1645, during the First English Civil War, when a Royalist garrison surrendered to a Parliamentarian force under Sir Thomas Fairfax.
  After their victory at Naseby in June, Fairfax and the New Model Army moved into Somerset, where they linked up with the Western Association Army led by Edward Massey. On 10 July, their combined force destroyed the last significant Royalist field army at Langport, clearing the way for an attack on Bridgwater.
  Siege operations began on 13 July; on 21st, Parliamentarian forces stormed the western part of the town. Many of the buildings were set on fire, and the garrison capitulated on 23 July; over 1,600 prisoners were taken, along with large quantities of weapons and other stores.
  The capture of Bridgwater meant Parliamentarian forces controlled a line of forts from the Bristol to the English Channels, isolating the Royalist West Country from the rest of England. Fairfax captured Bath and Sherborne, Dorset in August, then moved against Bristol in early September, the most significant port still in Royalist hands.
context_section_description: According to the etiquette of the time, if a garrison surrendered prior to the walls being breached, they were allowed to march out with their possessions, and given a free pass to the nearest friendly position. This was not the case at Bridgwater; most of the 1,500 rank and file switched sides, while more than 200 officers, and numerous Royalist officials were held prisoner. 
  Fairfax also captured 40 pieces of artillery, powder, and a 'great store of musquets', left behind by Goring. Most of his infantry deserted after Langport, demoralised by defeat; even if he could raise fresh troops, this crippled his ability to equip them. 
  Sir Edmund Wyndham was held until 1649, when he joined Charles II in exile, returning only after the 1660 Restoration. His son Hugh was also taken prisoner, but escaped, and took service with the Royalist fleet commanded by Prince Rupert. He was recaptured in 1649, trying to break out of Kinsale, but survived to become an MP for Minehead in 1661. 
  Bridgwater was badly damaged by the siege, and did not recover economically for many years; in December 1647, Fairfax wrote a letter to Parliament, asking that taxes on the town be reduced 'owing to its great losses in the recent siege.'
caption: The former West Quay; Bridgwater was an important inland port
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