The Royalists , under Sir Ralph Hopton , took the town in 1643 .
Parliamentary retook it in 1644 , soldiers led by Sir Astley Cooper forcing their way through the West Gate in the walls .
The Royalists , under Sir Ralph Hopton , took the town in 1643 , but Parliamentary retook it in 1644 , soldiers led by Sir Astley Cooper forcing their way through the West Gate in the walls .