During the english civil war, Salcombe was held by the loyalists and Portlemouth by the parlementarians. This lead to the battle of Salcombe which was beseiged from Portlemouth. An artillery duel continued all day between the battery and Fort Charles, in the end Fort Charles surrendered and the defenders were allowed to march through the town with sidearms. The only injury caused was one defender who shot himself in the foot while marching out.