The fortified villages, with their connecting lanes and roads, blocked most of the approaches to Newark, but were themselves too far out and on too wide a circumference to blockade the town effectively. The besiegers accordingly constructed forts and two lines of circumvallation nearer to the town to meet sorties and to prevent communication between Newarkers and the open country. Full advantage was taken of natural features. The need for a closer approach to Newark was met by a second line based on General Poyntz’s quarters in the field, which lay opposite the Queen’s Sconce on the SE side of the river Devon. The two lines were linked by the ‘approches and workes made in Ballderton lane from the first line’ , at the NW end of which lay Colonel Rossiter’s battery, a large rectangular work with three cannon. Both lines of circumvallation were strengthened at intervals by ‘redouts’ or ‘bulwarkes’. (1)

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

(1), Arch office

<1> RCHM, 1964, Newark on Trent - The Civil War Siegeworks (Published document). SNT1176.