Londonderry, Siege of

Siege of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1689 by the Jacobite forces of James II, during their fight against the succession of William III to the throne after the Glorious Revolution. Beginning in April 1688, the siege lasted 105 days, until William III's fleet relieved the town in July 1689 and the Jacobites withdrew.

In December 1688 a group of Catholic soldiers sent to occupy Londonderry was prevented from entering the town when 13 local apprentice boys closed the gates against the advancing army. The main Jacobite army invested the town in April 1689, and James II expected immediate surrender. However, the townspeople threw out their governor, General Lundy, who wished to surrender, and defended the town. After a series of bombardments and attacks failed, the besiegers attempted to starve out the town, placing a great boom across the River Foyle. Famine ensued, and the defenders were reduced to eating leather and rats. A flotilla of English ships waited in Lough Foyle, but was unwilling to try to break the boom. Eventually, on 30 July, when the town could hold out no longer, William ordered the ships to run the boom. The leading ship – the Mountjoy – burst the boom, but was stranded on the mud until the rising tide carried it free, and the ships were able to resupply the townspeople. The next day, the Jacobite army lifted the siege.

The success of the Protestant defenders is still celebrated annually in two marches by the Londonderry Apprentice Boys – one in December to commemorate the closing of the gates, and the other in August to celebrate the relief of the town.