In
October 1651 Castle Rushen was
invaded and surrendered to Parliament Page one - Cromwell's troops land at Derbyhaven
In October 1651 the Countess
of Derby surrendered Castle Rushen to the Parliamentarian
forces which landed on the Island under the command of Colonel
Duckenfield. This year - 2001 - being the 350th anniversary
of this event, Manx National Heritage took the opportunity,
in conjunction with the Sealed Knot Society, to hold a large
scale re-enactment of the drama which took place on this
important day in Manx history.
In the following four pages we reproduce a pictorial record
of this memorable weekend commencing with the Parliamentary
Forces invasion at Derbyhaven.
Colonel Duckenfield's Parliamentary forces
have landed and face the Royalists and Manx Militia, the latter
under the command of Illiam Dhone who, after a short skirmish,
realised it would be prudent to side with the Parliamentarians.
During further fighting the remaining Royalists
were overwhelmed, scattering in confusion, retreating to
the Castle but taking with them Colonel Duckenfield's surrender
demand.
Colonel Duckenfield marched his men back to
Castletown - pausing to watch his Artillery softening up the
Royalists from Hango Hill. Some sporadic response from the
Castle did not trouble the gunners.
