History Timeline: Sandwich Kent: 1400 to 1699

Henry V stayed at White Friars in Sandwich, en route for Calais.

The town was attacked by 4,000 Frenchmen (mainly from Honfleur) under Marshal Pierre de Breze or as English accounts call him, Peter Brassey. The parishes of St. Mary and St. Clement were destroyed (except St. Clement's tower). The citizens fought desperately all day until help arrived from the other Cinque Port towns and at about 5.30 pm the French withdrew.

The Mayor of Sandwich, John Drury, was killed along with many citizens. In memory of this event, the Mayor of Sandwich still wears a black robe.

The devastated town did not really recover until a hundred years had passed.

Edward IV embarked for Calais

Perkin Warbeck, the Pretender to the Throne, was defeated in Kent. The 'Trained Bands' of Sandwich helped in his defeat. In England, at that time, by law, all men had to train in the use of the long bow. In Sandwich they practiced near part of the town wall, called 'The Butts'

Serious silting up of the River Stour and deterioration of the Port.

Henry VIII visited the town and made grants to restore the Haven.

Construction of the Barbican Gate, then known as Davey's Gate. See Town Tour for more information and pictures of the Barbican.

Elizabeth 1 assumed the position of Protectress of the Reformed Church in Europe, and gave help and protection to French Huguenots and Flemish Protestants.

Elizabeth I granted permission for 'the Flemings' (religious refugees) to inhabit the town.

Of the 420 households in Sandwich, 291 were English and 129 were European refugees.

Sir Roger Manwood founded the Grammar School.

Plague victims were helped by the religious refugees in the town.

Elizabeth I visited the town

There were nearly 400 religious refugees in the town, carrying out 59 different trades.

Emigration to America
£25 was granted as a venture for the settlement of Virginia in America.
People embarked at Sandwich for New England on the 'Good ship Hercules of Sandwich'. Click HERE for passenger list.

The Prince of Orange passed through Sandwich.

The Civil War begins. The Town Cryer declared that men should report to four of the public houses, if they were willing to take employment under the command of the Earl of Essex, in defense of His Majesty Charles 1st. Only Three recruits came forward - The people were more concerned with coastal defence.

The 'Puritans' have their day and the English Civil War ends with the beheading of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell becoming the Lord Protector of England.

Protector Cromwell at Sandwich.

Return of the Monarchy - King Charles the II anchored at Sandwich.