The siege of Melcombe by the 2000 strong Royalist forces of Sir William Hastings and Sir Lewis Dyve, continued unabated from the 10th February. For about 5 days, they pounded the beleaguered parliamentarian garrison of about 900 souls across the water.

Gazing out upon the awful damage that the more powerful Royalist artillery, with it’s massive height advantage was wreaking upon the town of Melcombe, Colonel William Sydenham sent Dyve a message saying “Let us cease this useless burning”, but Dyve believing he had the upper hand for once against his old adversary answered “We refuse to parley with you and will do what we please”.

Two days later, Dyve would learn a harsh lesson about taking Colonel William Sydenham seriously. ……………………