Roaring Meg (cannon)

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Roaring Meg on display at Goodrich Castle

Roaring Meg was the name of several powerful cannons used in the 17th century. It is not to be confused with Mons Meg, a medieval cannon preserved at Edinburgh Castle.

English Civil War

Created by Colonel Birch for the Siege of Goodrich Castle

Plaque on Roaring Meg at Goodrich Castle

Roaring Meg was a mortar cast in 1646 for the siege of Goodrich Castle.[1] With a 15.5 inch barrel diameter and firing a 2cwt hollow ball filled with gunpowder, Roaring Meg was the largest mortar of the war. She was instrumental in the capture of Goodrich Castle in 1646 by Sir Thomas Fairfax.[2] During the siege the Roundhead commander, Colonel Birch, was so excited with his new weapon he personally fired the last 19 balls.[2] Roaring Meg is preserved by Herefordshire Council and has been on display at Goodrich Castle since 2004.[3]

A cannon in the Earl of Northampton's Regiment

Roaring Meg was also the name of a cannon used earlier in the war by the Cavalier Earl of Northampton's Regiment.[4]

Cannon on the Walls of Derry

Later cannon

Roaring Meg was also the name of a cannon used during the Siege of Derry in 1689.[5] This one is preserved on Derry's city walls but is currently undergoing restoration.

In popular culture

A rock band and a retail park in Stevenage have been named after the famous cannon.[6]

A Blonde Beer brewed by the Springhead brewery in Sutton on Trent takes its name from the cannon.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Plaque on Roaring Meg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 NDS - News Distribution Service
  3. ↑ Roaring Meg
  4. ↑ Earl of Northampton's Artillery page
  5. ↑ Derry City Council - Roaring Meg to get a makeover
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 www.roaring-meg.com

External links

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