Siege of Minorca
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Fort St Philip (commonly known in Britain as the Fall of Minorca or Siege of Minorca) took place in 1756 during the Seven Years War.
landed on the island and besieged the British garrison, forcing them to surrender after a lengthy siege. A British relief force under Admiral John Byng sailed with the purpose of saving the island, but after the naval Battle of Minorca
Byng withdrew to Gibraltar
, and the resistance of the garrison finally collapsed. Byng was later blamed for the loss of Minorca, and executed by firing squad.
The garrison's resistance had been considered lengthy and honourable enough for them to be allowed to march out carrying their arms and be shipped back home to Britain, a common convention at the time. Blakeney was absolved of any blame for the loss of the island, and was later awarded an Irish peerage in recognition of his defence of Fort St Phillip.
was appointed the first French Governor of Minorca. A British naval squadron led by Sir Edward Hawke sent out to replace Byng arrived off Minorca shortly after the surrender. As Hawke did not have enough troops onboard to land and mount a siege to retake the island he departed, cruising in the waters off Marseilles for three months before sailing home. He was later criticised for failing to mount a blockade
of the island, which might have forced it to surrender through starvation.
The French held on to Minorca for the remainder of the war, the only British territory they were to occupy, and at the Treaty of Paris
it was returned to Britain in exchange for Guadeloupe
. Minorca was captured from the British again in 1781
during the American War of Independence after which it was ceded to Spain.
Siege
A French force under the command of the Duke de RichelieuLouis François Armand du Plessis, duc de Richelieu
Armand de Vignerot du Plessis was a French soldier, diplomat and statesman. Joining the army, he participated in three major wars and eventually rose to the rank of Marshal of France....
landed on the island and besieged the British garrison, forcing them to surrender after a lengthy siege. A British relief force under Admiral John Byng sailed with the purpose of saving the island, but after the naval Battle of Minorca
Battle of Minorca
The Battle of Minorca was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after Great Britain declared war on the House of Bourbon, their squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca. The fight...
Byng withdrew to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, and the resistance of the garrison finally collapsed. Byng was later blamed for the loss of Minorca, and executed by firing squad.
The garrison's resistance had been considered lengthy and honourable enough for them to be allowed to march out carrying their arms and be shipped back home to Britain, a common convention at the time. Blakeney was absolved of any blame for the loss of the island, and was later awarded an Irish peerage in recognition of his defence of Fort St Phillip.
Aftermath
Hyacinthe Gaëtan de LannionHyacinthe Gaëtan de Lannion
Hyacinthe Gaëtan de Lannion was a French politician and administrator. From 1735 to 1762 he was the Governor of Lannes in Brittany, a herditary post he inherited from his father Anne de Lannion along with the title Count of Lannion...
was appointed the first French Governor of Minorca. A British naval squadron led by Sir Edward Hawke sent out to replace Byng arrived off Minorca shortly after the surrender. As Hawke did not have enough troops onboard to land and mount a siege to retake the island he departed, cruising in the waters off Marseilles for three months before sailing home. He was later criticised for failing to mount a blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
of the island, which might have forced it to surrender through starvation.
The French held on to Minorca for the remainder of the war, the only British territory they were to occupy, and at the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
it was returned to Britain in exchange for Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
. Minorca was captured from the British again in 1781
Invasion of Minorca, 1781
The Franco-Spanish conquest of Minorca from its British defenders in February 1782, after the Siege of Fort St. Philip lasting over five months, was an important step in the achievement of Spain's aims in its alliance with France against Britain during the American War of Independence...
during the American War of Independence after which it was ceded to Spain.