Royalist forces withdrew into Colchester in Essex after being pursued by Fairfax in June 1648. The town endured an eleven-week siege marked by hunger, disease and severe civilian suffering before surrendering on 28 August. Royalist commanders Charles Lucas and George Lisle were executed shortly afterwards.

Colchester produced poignant narratives of starvation, divided loyalties and the ethics of military punishment. Royalist elegies made Lucas and Lisle martyrs, while Parliamentarian writers defended their deaths as justice against renewed rebellion.