Devizes is a market town and civil parish located in Wiltshire, England. It developed historically around Devizes Castle, an 11th-century Norman fortification. The town was granted a formal charter in 1141.
The site of the castle saw significant military action during two major conflicts. It was besieged during the 12th-century civil war known as the Anarchy between Stephen of England and Empress Matilda, and again during the English Civil War. During the latter conflict, the siege was lifted by the Cavaliers at the Battle of Roundway Down after the Parliamentarian Army of the West was routed.
Devizes remained under Royalist control until 1645, when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced a surrender. Following these events, the castle was destroyed in 1648 on the orders of Parliament, leaving very little of the original structure remaining today.