Home Society & PoliticsHistoryHistorical Events Subscribe to RSS

When Was The Last Time Britain Was Invaded?

Answer Question

2 Answers - Sort by: Date | Rating

    It's been almost a millennium since Britain was last successfully invaded (by the Norman French in 1066).

    However, the last time a hostile foreign power actually landed troops on the British mainland was back in 1797 when a fleet of four French warships landed 1,400 conscript troops on the Welsh coast near Fishguard, with the intention of stirring up a rebellion that would topple the British government.

    The plan, drawn up by the French revolutionary authorities and entrusted to a septuagenarian Irish-American called Colonel William Tate, was doomed to failure. With the cream of revolutionary France's troops fighting on the European mainland, the soldiers of the landing force were almost all newly released convicts who were more interested in drinking than furthering the revolution.

    As soon as the invasion party had marched into Fishguard, any semblance of discipline crumbled as the jailbirds helped themselves to the town's supply of food and fine wine. A couple of days after the landing the ragtag troops surrendered to a local militia led by Lord Cawdor.

    The surrender documents signed by Tate make mention of many hundreds of British redcoats – despite the fact that the nearest regular army soldiers were still many miles away. Local legend has it that the sozzled soldiers mistook the local women (dressed in their traditional scarlet tunics and tall black hats) for British troops. Feeling hopelessly outnumbered (and no doubt a little hungover) they decided to surrender!
    0 0

    Dinkydi 

    answered 3 years ago

    Not very good didn't tell me enough information and what if kids were to read it for information doesn't tell them much they wont be able to understand!!
    Report
    Aeiysha

    Aeiysha

    commented 12 months ago

      I really don't know. History is boring. Live in the now!!!
      0 0
      Guest

      Guest 

      answered 9 months ago

        Answer Question - Answers are editable for 5 min.

        If you do not Sign-in or Register your answers will

        be anonymous, your answers may also be

        checked before going online.

        0

        More

           
           

          Ask a Question via Twitter

          Send a question to @askblurtit and we will publish it online and send you a reply everytime you receive an answer.

          Blurtit Store

          Get T-shirts, hoodies, caps and more at the Blurtit store

          Blurtit International