The decisive tactical move of the final siege of Edinburgh Castle was the destruction by English artillery fire of the great cistern that supplied the castle garrison with water. Without water the garrison could not hold out regardless of remaining food stores and manpower. Drury's gunners targeted the cistern deliberately — a sophisticated choice of target that spoke to the professional competence of the English siege train. Once the cistern was destroyed, Kirkcaldy had no choice but to negotiate surrender within days.
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