Latest / The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History / The Siege of Derry 1689: A City of Apprentice Boys
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked about the Boyne and the Treaty of Limerick, but there's a siege that happened the year before the Boyne that's almost mythical in Ulster Protestant memory. The Siege of Derry in 1689. Luna: Right, the one with the apprentice boys and 'No Surrender'. Lucas: Exactly. It's one of those events that's been turned into a founding legend. But the reality was brutal. Derry was a walled city on the River Foyle, and in December 1688, thirteen apprentice boys — teenagers, basically — seized the keys to the city gates and locked them against a Jacobite regiment that was approaching. That act of defiance set the stage. Luna: Were they really just apprentices? Lucas: According to tradition, yes. Their names are still commemorated — like Henry Campsie and William Crooke. They saw the Jacobite soldiers coming and basically said, 'Not on our watch.' They slammed the gates shut. The governor at the time, Robert Lundy, was more cautious. He wanted to negotiate with James's forces. But the people of Derry — largely Protestant refugees from the recent uprising in Ulster — were having none of it. Luna: So Lundy became the traitor figure. Lucas: Exactly. To this day, 'Lundy' is a term of abuse in loyalist folklore. He's burned in effigy every December. He actually escaped the city in disguise after trying to surrender. The siege formally began in April 1689 when James II himself arrived at the gates and called on the city to yield. The response? They shouted 'No Surrender' from the walls. Lucas: The city was defended by about 7,000 men, but many were untrained civilians. Inside, they had maybe 30,000 people, including refugees. Food ran out quickly. They ate horses, dogs, rats. There's a famous story of a soldier finding a single biscuit and being executed for hoarding. Luna: That's horrific. How did they hold out for 105 days? Lucas: A combination of desperation, religious conviction, and some extraordinary leadership. The key figure was Reverend George Walker, a Church of Ireland clergyman who became joint governor. He was not a military man, but he gave fiery sermons and helped organize the defense. He kept a diary that became a bestseller later. But the real lifeline was the Williamite navy. In late July, three supply ships — the Mountjoy, the Phoenix, and the Jerusalem — managed to break through a boom across the Foyle, a chain barrier the Jacobites had erected. They crashed through it under heavy fire, and the city was relieved. Luna: That must have been an incredible sight. Lucas: It was. Walker wrote that the people wept with joy. But the cost was immense. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people died inside the walls, mostly from starvation and disease. Only a fraction died from enemy fire. The siege cemented Derry's reputation as a Protestant bastion, and it gave William's cause a huge psychological boost. Luna: And it made Walker a hero. Lucas: He became a national figure in England, but he was killed two years later at the Battle of the Boyne. His legacy is complicated — some accused him of exaggerating his own role. But the siege itself was a turning point. Without Derry holding out, the Williamite war in Ireland might have ended very differently. Luna: It's interesting how a single act by a handful of teenagers can echo through centuries. Lucas: Absolutely. And that's part of what makes history so compelling. If you've been stepping into history with us episode by episode, you know we love unpacking these moments. We try to keep the show ad-free so we can focus on the story, and that's possible because listeners who appreciate deep dives sometimes support us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a small gesture that helps us keep going — no pressure, just a thank you to those who find value in what we do. Luna: Yeah, it really does make a difference. So back to Derry — what happened after the relief? Lucas: The Jacobites withdrew, and the war shifted south. Derry became a symbol. Every December 18th, the Apprentice Boys of Derry still commemorate the shutting of the gates with parades and ceremonies. It's a deeply contested memory, especially given Northern Ireland's divisions. But the historical event itself — the sheer endurance of people who refused to open their gates — remains a powerful story. Luna: And it's not just Protestant myth. Catholics also lived in Derry then, though many were forced out during the siege. Lucas: Right. The city was divided. Inside, the defenders were mostly Protestants, but there were some Catholics who stayed. After the siege, relations soured further. The Penal Laws that came later hit Catholics hard. But the siege itself wasn't purely sectarian — it was about political loyalty: William versus James. Still, over time, it became a cornerstone of Orange identity. Luna: So the 'No Surrender' cry started here. Lucas: It did. And it's been echoed in everything from the Siege of Delhi during the Indian Rebellion to modern politics. But the original context was 105 days of starvation and bombardment on the banks of the Foyle. Lucas: One detail I love: after the boom was broken, the Mountjoy ran aground, and the Jacobites nearly captured it. But the Phoenix came in behind and the defenders sortied out to secure the river. It was a close-run thing. Luna: Were the ships well-armed? Lucas: They were merchant ships, not warships, but they had some cannon. The real weapon was surprise and determination. The Williamite commander, Major-General Kirke, had been hesitant to risk the run, but the ships' captains volunteered. They knew the river and timed it for high tide. Luna: That kind of bravery is remarkable. Lucas: It is. And it's worth remembering that the Jacobite commander, Richard Hamilton, tried everything to take the city — mining under the walls, bombardment, negotiations. But the defenders held. There's a story of a woman, sometimes called 'Dame of Derry,' who fired a cannon from the walls after her husband was killed. Whether that's true or legend, it captures the spirit. Luna: I've heard about the 'Derry Girls' — a more modern reference, but maybe there's a thread there. Lucas: Possibly. The city has always had a strong character. The siege is a good reminder that history is not just about kings and battles, but about communities making impossible choices. Luna: It makes me want to visit the walls. Lucas: They still stand, by the way. You can walk the full circuit. And there's a memorial to the apprentice boys. It's a place where you can feel the weight of history. Luna: Thanks for bringing this one to life, Lucas. Lucas: My pleasure. Next time, maybe we'll look at what happened to the Jacobite army after Derry — the Battle of Newtownbutler or the Siege of Carrickfergus. Luna: I'd love that.