I know that the River Thames in London has an interesting history and has been crucial to the economy and development of the surrounding areas.
But I would like to know if there has ever been the threat of invasion or an attack in that area? I remember reading an article that states that a scout or invading force was seen on the Thames and was really interested to find out if that was true.
Thank you.
The Thames has certainly been subject to attack and invasion throughout history -- perhaps the most famous example of this, and the last time an enemy specifically threatened the estuary, was during the second Anglo-Dutch war in 1667. The English fleet was not mobilized due to internal disputes and a lack of money, enabling a raid. The Dutch fleet attacked and captured Sheerness, then sailed up the Thames to the Medway and then to Gillingham; they attacked the English fleet laid up there. They burned three ships of the line and 10 smaller ships and sailed away with the captured Unity and Royal Charles. The raid was the worst naval defeat England suffered in home waters; the stern of the Royal Charles is still on display at the Riijksmuseum. There's a quite vivid description of the raid and the political fallout in Pepys' diaries.