Blockade of the Tower of London, July 1460
On 2 July 1460, the Yorkist Lords who had been based in Calais began their blockade of the Tower of London.
Separating their force, the Earls of Warwick and March headed north, whilst the Earl of Salisbury remained in London and began a blockade of the Tower.
The defenders of the Tower took the unprecedented approach of firing into London from the palace:
“They that were within the Tower cast wildfire into the City, and shot in small guns, and burned and hurt men and women and children in the streets” [Unnamed chronicle cited by D Seward]
This only served to increase the level of support that Salisbury got from London citizens and deployed an armed militia in support of them.
“And then they skirmished together, and much harm was done daily.”
Bombards from the Royal Arsenal were taken by London’s citizens and used to fire upon the Tower. This resulted in sections of the curtain wall being destroyed, ensure that provisions did not enter the Tower:
“And the Tower was besieged by land and by water, that no victual might come to them that were within.”
The plan worked. On 19 July, aware that the Queen’s army was defeated and now without food, the Tower surrendered. Lord Scales attempted to escape by boat but was seen, identified, and stabbed to death. His body was unceremoniously thrown into the Thames.
External Links
Siege of London 2-19 July 1460