Historicaleigh - Defending Leigh

September 11, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

DEFENDING LEIGH

On the 23 June 1626 a letter was written to the Earle of Totnes, Master of the Ordinance, from Chancellor of the Exchequer, Master of the Rolles,  Chancellor of the Duchy (the spelling is the original)

‘After our very harty comendacions to your good Lordship. Whereas it is desired by our very good Lord, the Earle of Warwick, on behalfe of the inhabitants of the towne of Leigh in the countie of Essex that they may be permitted for the defence of the towne to buy for their money ten peeces of cast iron ordinance as four demy culverins and six sakers, which suite is thought reasonable and his Majestie is well pleased to graunt; these are therefore to pray and require your Lordship to give order that they may be furnished with the said ten peeces of iron ordinance, they giveing such security as is usuallie accustomed by others his Majestie's subjectes in like cases.’

The demi-culverin was a medium cannon slightly larger than a saker with an effective range of 1,800 feet.  A saker could fire round shot weighing approximately 7400 ft using 4 lb of black powder. The shot was designed not to explode but bounce along the ground to cause as much damage as possible.

I wonder what happened to the Leigh cannons?

To read all our past historical tales of Leigh, please click the link https://www.leigh-on-sea.com/blog/tag/historicaleigh.html