 Specifically within the year 1636, it is roughly estimated with evidence held by the Society of Antiquaries that 47% of the then population of Newcastle died from the epidemic; this may also have been the most devastating loss in any British city in this period.During the English Civil War, the North declared for the King.In a bid to gain Newcastle and the Tyne, Cromwell's allies, the Scots, captured the town of Newburn.