The first assault , mostly by Royalist troops from local garrisons , initially drove Blake and his troops into the castle , then tried to starve out the garrison , until the town was relieved by a force under James Holborne on 14 December .
The first assault , by Royalist troops from local garrisons , initially drove Blake and his troops into the castle , before settling into a siege intended to starve the town into submission . 
 The town was relieved by a force under James Holborne on 14 December .