Our royalist soldier is finally heading home. He has surrendered his weapons and has sworn an oath to parliament, never to fight against them. The fate of the royalist leaders will not be so kind however.

One of the darkest days during the siege. Women and children are sent out seeking support from the parliamentary troops outside. Not only were they turned back, but the women were stripped and beaten.

In the wake of a royalist commander’s escape from the town, tensions increase. A battle took place at Boxted, not too far from Colchester, and the parliamentarians offered terms of surrender. The royalist leaders refused, meaning the siege would continue.

The town is now fully surrounded with parliamentarian forts and defensive walls. Royalist troops tried to head out East to the Hythe, to gather some supplies at the port. Instead, they lost many of their men to the parliamentary line.

Depleting supplies leads to increasing frustration with the royalist soldiers and townsfolk. Conversely, the parliamentarians stationed outside the walls are getting a constant supply of fresh food and drink.

Our royalist soldier has just arrived in Colchester and is stationed at St John’s Abbey. How long will he and his fellow soldiers be stationed in the town?