Sandwich Kent England UK: History Timeline: 1400 to 1699

This was a time of wars and immigration, civil war and emigration.

Sandwich Kent: 1400 to 1699

1416

Henry V stayed at White Friars in Sandwich, en route for Calais.

1457

The town was attacked by 4,000 Frenchmen (mainly from Honfleur) under Marshal Pierre de Breze or as English accounts call him, Peter Brassey. The parishes of St. Mary and St. Clement were destroyed (except St. Clement's tower). The citizens fought desperately all day until help arrived from the other Cinque Port towns and at about 5.30 pm the French withdrew.

The Mayor of Sandwich, John Drury, was killed along with many citizens. In memory of this event, the Mayor of Sandwich still wears a black robe.

The devastated town did not really recover until a hundred years had passed.

1475

Edward IV embarked for Calais.

1495

Perkin Warbeck, the Pretender to the Throne, was defeated in Kent. The 'Trained Bands' of Sandwich helped in his defeat. In England, at that time, by law, all men had to train in the use of the long bow. In Sandwich they practiced near part of the town wall, called 'The Butts'

1500

Serious silting up of the River Stour and deterioration of the Port.

1531

Henry VIII visited the town and made grants to restore the Haven.

1536

Construction of the Barbican Gate, then known as Davey's Gate. See Town Tour for more information and pictures of the Barbican.

 

Elizabeth 1 assumed the position of Protectress of the Reformed Church in Europe, and gave help and protection to French Huguenots and Flemish Protestants.

1560
to
1565

Elizabeth I granted permission for 'the Flemings' (religious refugees) to inhabit the town.

Of the 420 households in Sandwich, 291 were English and 129 were European refugees.

1563

Sir Roger Manwood founded the Grammar School.

1564

Plague victims were helped by the religious refugees in the town.

1573

Elizabeth I visited the town

1582

There were nearly 400 religious refugees in the town, carrying out 59 different trades.

1609

1614

1634

Emigration to America
£25 was granted as a venture for the settlement of Virginia in America.
People embarked at Sandwich for New England on the 'Good ship Hercules of Sandwich'. Click HERE for passenger list.

1640

The Prince of Orange passed through Sandwich.

1642

The Civil War begins. The Town Cryer declared that men should report to four of the public houses, if they were willing to take employment under the command of the Earl of Essex, in defense of His Majesty Charles 1st. Only Three recruits came forward - The people were more concerned with coastal defence.

1649

The 'Puritans' have their day and the English Civil War ends with the beheading of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell becoming the Lord Protector of England.

1651

Protector Cromwell at Sandwich.

1660

Return of the Monarchy - King Charles the II anchored at Sandwich.

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