Life in Early Modern Ireland · Autumn Term

The Siege of Derry

A case study of the conflict between Williamite and Jacobite forces in 1689.

About This Topic

The Siege of Derry marks a defining moment in the Williamite War of 1689, as Jacobite forces loyal to the deposed James II clashed with Williamite supporters in Ireland. On 7 December 1688, the city's Apprentice Boys shut the gates against Governor Robert Lundy's orders to surrender to James's army under the Earl of Tyrconnell. This act sparked a 105-day siege, ending with relief ships breaking the boom on the River Foyle on 19 July 1689, after thousands died from starvation and disease.

Aligned with NCCA standards on conflict and resolution and local studies, this unit prompts students to analyze causes tied to the Glorious Revolution, evaluate siege impacts on inhabitants' daily lives such as food rationing and makeshift defenses, and justify its ongoing commemoration through events like the Apprentice Boys parades. Students build skills in causation, empathy, and assessing historical legacy via primary sources like diaries and maps.

Active learning suits this topic well. Role-plays of key decisions, collaborative timelines, and source-based debates bring the human drama to life. Students connect emotionally with the past, improving comprehension of change and continuity while developing evidence-based arguments.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary religious and political causes of the conflict between James II and William of Orange leading to the Siege of Derry.
• Explain how the siege impacted the daily lives of Derry's inhabitants, including food shortages and defensive measures.
• Evaluate the significance of the Siege of Derry as a turning point in Irish history.
• Justify why the Siege of Derry continues to be commemorated through modern traditions and symbols.

Before You Start

The Glorious Revolution

Why: Understanding the context of William of Orange's invitation to England and the deposition of James II is crucial for grasping the political motivations behind the conflict in Ireland.

Life in Early Modern Ireland

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of the social structures, religious divisions, and political landscape of Ireland before 1689 to comprehend the specific context of the siege.

Key Vocabulary

Jacobite	A supporter of the deposed Catholic King James II and his descendants. They sought to restore the Stuart monarchy to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Williamite	A supporter of William of Orange, who replaced James II as King of England. They generally favored Protestant rule and the established political order.
Siege	A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, attempting to capture it by blockade or assault.
Apprentice Boys	A group of Protestant young men in Derry who famously shut the city gates against the Catholic army of James II in 1688, initiating the siege.
Boom	A barrier, often made of timber or chains, placed across a river or harbor to prevent enemy ships from passing.

Active Learning Ideas

Role-Play: The Gates Debate

Divide students into small groups to role-play the confrontation between Governor Lundy and the Apprentice Boys. Assign roles with brief character cards detailing motivations. Groups debate and vote on shutting the gates, then share outcomes with the class.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Collaborative Timeline: Siege Events

Provide students with event cards on causes, key dates, and relief. In small groups, they sequence events on a large class timeline, adding sketches of daily life impacts. Discuss how sequence reveals patterns of hardship.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Source Analysis: Eyewitness Accounts

Distribute excerpts from siege diaries and maps. Pairs highlight evidence of daily struggles like rationing bread and water. Groups present findings, linking to key questions on causes and commemoration.

⏱ 35 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Formal Debate: Lundy's Legacy

Pairs prepare arguments for and against Governor Lundy as hero or traitor, using provided sources. Hold a whole-class vote and reflection on leadership in conflict.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Historians at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland use primary sources, such as letters and diaries from the period, to reconstruct the daily experiences of people during sieges and conflicts.

City planners in modern Derry must consider how historical sites, like the city walls, are preserved and interpreted for tourists and residents, balancing heritage with urban development.

Community leaders in Northern Ireland engage in discussions about historical commemorations, like the Apprentice Boys parades, to foster understanding and manage diverse perspectives on past conflicts.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Siege of Derry was a quick military battle.

What to Teach Instead

It endured 105 days, focused on blockade and endurance rather than combat. Building timelines in groups shows the prolonged timeline, helping students appreciate starvation's role over battlefield clashes.

Common Misconception

James II personally commanded the siege.

What to Teach Instead

James coordinated from Dublin; local commanders like the Earl of Tyrconnell led operations. Analyzing primary sources in pairs clarifies command structures, preventing confusion with broader Williamite War narratives.

Common Misconception

The siege had little effect on ordinary citizens.

What to Teach Instead

Civilians faced severe rationing, disease, and loss. Role-play activities immerse students in these realities, fostering empathy and correcting views that history centers only on leaders.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a Venn diagram. Ask them to compare and contrast the motivations of the Jacobite and Williamite forces. Prompt: 'List two reasons why James II's supporters wanted him back and two reasons why William of Orange's supporters wanted him to rule.'

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you were a child living in Derry during the siege. What would be the three biggest challenges you would face each day?' Facilitate a brief class discussion, encouraging students to share their ideas and justify their choices based on what they've learned about rationing and danger.

Quick Check

Present students with three images: a map of Derry from 1689, a drawing of a cannon, and a modern photograph of the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. Ask students to write one sentence for each image explaining its connection to the Siege of Derry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Siege of Derry?

The siege stemmed from the Glorious Revolution of 1688, where Protestant William of Orange ousted Catholic James II. Derry's Protestant majority rejected James's Jacobite forces invading Ireland to reclaim power. Apprentice Boys shut the gates on 7 December 1688, defying surrender orders, sparking the conflict amid religious and political tensions.

How did the Siege of Derry impact daily lives?

Inhabitants endured 105 days of blockade, rationing food to a quarter-pound of bread daily by the end, with horseflesh and hides eaten amid dysentery outbreaks. Over 7,000 of 30,000 died. Women and children contributed to defenses, highlighting community resilience under extreme duress.

Why is the Siege of Derry commemorated today?

It symbolizes Protestant defiance and the Williamite victory foundational to modern Northern Ireland's history. Annual Apprentice Boys parades on 12 August reenact gate-shutting, preserving local identity. Debates continue on its role in sectarian divides, prompting reflection on conflict resolution.

How can active learning help teach the Siege of Derry?

Role-plays of debates and diary writing place students in inhabitants' shoes, making abstract suffering tangible. Group timelines and source hunts build causation skills collaboratively. These methods engage multiple intelligences, deepen retention of change and continuity themes, and encourage evidence-based discussions over rote facts.