Siege of Kinsale

The Battle of Kinsale took place from October 1601 to January 1602. It was the final and most important battle in the Nine Years’ War, when Irish lords fought against English rule. A Spanish army also came to help the Irish, making the event part of a bigger conflict between Catholic Spain and Protestant England.Hiram Morgan (ed) The battle of Kinsale (Cork, 2006)Hiram Morgan (ed) The battle of Kinsale (Cork, 2006)

 Background 
Ireland had never been fully controlled by England. In the late 1500s, Irish leaders like Hugh O’Neil, Earl of Tyrone and Red Hugh O’Donnell led a rebellion. Spain decided to support them and sent soldiers to Kinsale in southern Ireland.O'Neill, A kingdom near lost: English military recovery in ireland, 1600-03, p.27

 The siege begins 
The Spanish army landed around September 1601 and took control of Kinsale. The English general Lord Mountjoy responded by surrounding the town and blocking supply routes. The Spanish and Irish forces were cut off.Hiram Morgan (ed) The battle of Kinsale (Cork, 2006)

 The winter battle 
In bitter winter weather, O’Neill and O’Donnell led a large Irish army south to fight the English. They and the Spanish planned a joint attack. But bad weather, poor communication, and the English cavalry’s strength broke their plan. The Irish army began to scatter and retreat in confusion.O'Faolain, Sean (1970), The Great O'Neill, biography of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, 1550-1616, The Mercier Press Ltd, ISBN 978-0853421405Hiram Morgan (ed) The battle of Kinsale (Cork, 2006)

 Aftermath 
The English won. The Spanish inside Kinsale surrendered and were allowed to leave. The defeat meant the end of strong Irish resistance. Within a few years, the old Gaelic system was broken, and English power spread across Ireland.Hiram Morgan (ed) The battle of Kinsale (Cork, 2006)

 References 

Category:17th-century conflicts
Category:1602
Category:1601
Category:Sieges
Category:17th century in Ireland
Category:County Cork