BattlefieldsSandwich Haven — Tudor Coastal Defence Preparations 1539
Tudor

Sandwich Haven — Tudor Coastal Defence Preparations 1539

1539
Kent, England
Also known as: Sandwich coastal defence 1539 · Sandwich haven muster 1539
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
VS
Victor
Henry VIII (crown)
Outcome
Sandwich, the most important of the Cinque Ports, mustered and its haven defences reviewed in 1539; blockhouse artillery positioned to deny the silting haven to an enemy fleet
The Battle

History & Significance

Sandwich Haven, though silting rapidly by the Tudor period, remained one of the principal Cinque Port harbours and its defence was reviewed as part of the 1539 coastal programme. The Warbeck attack on Deal in 1495 had demonstrated that the Kent coast between Sandwich and the Goodwin Sands anchorage was a priority landing area, and the 1539 preparations at Sandwich were designed to ensure that even the diminished haven could not be used by an enemy force.

Casualties & Losses

None recorded

Forces Involved

Sandwich Cinque Port levy; blockhouse artillery

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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