England. House of Stuart. Charles I (1625-1649). Civil War. Pontefract Besieged. Shilling, 1648. Octagonal. 4.29 gm. Crowned C R; DVM: SPIRO: SPERO around, rev. Castle, O(BS) P-C and sword around. S.3148. A Royalist stronghold during the Civil War, Pontefract castle in West Yorkshire was called one of the strongest inland garrisons in the kingdom by Oliver Cromwell. It was besieged at least three times by Parliamentarian forces. Minor crease as made. Attractive slate-gray. About Very Fine.