Civil War

Perhaps the local episode of most national significance in the Stuart period was the siege of Portsmouth, which occurred at the beginning of the Civil War. Portsmouth was as always an important strategic asset and, having declared for the King, was besieged by the Parliamentarians in 1642. The dissolute Governor, Goring, capitulated after a promise of good conduct for himself and his followers, but not until after the Town had suffered considerable bombardment. It remained in Parliamentarian hands for the remainder of the War. However, Portsmouth retained strong links with the Crown for the whole period. Goring reputedly threw the keys to the Garrison into the sea from the Square Tower in a final act of defiance.