Why the Medway’s Geography Mattered Flashcards

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Where is the River Medway and which sea does it connect to?

The River Medway is in Kent and flows into the Thames Estuary, which leads out to the North Sea.

Why was the Medway a good place for England to anchor its warships in the 1660s?

It was a deep, sheltered river, so ships were safer from storms and enemy fleets than they would be on the open sea.

How did the Medway’s inland position make it seem secure from attack?

The anchorage was many kilometres from the open sea, so any attacker had to sail a long way upriver, which people thought would give plenty of warning.

Why did the narrow and winding parts of the Medway help defenders?

Enemy ships had to sail in a tight line round bends, so they were easier targets for guns on the riverbanks and from forts.

How did the Medway’s tides and mudflats affect the movement of ships?

At low tide, mudflats and shallow water could trap ships or slow them down, so any attack had to be carefully timed.

Why was Chatham Dockyard’s position on the Medway important?

It was far enough upriver to be sheltered, but still close to the sea, so ships could be built and repaired in safety and then reach the North Sea quite quickly.

How did the Medway’s link to the Thames make it important for London?

The Medway joined the Thames Estuary, so it gave a protected route to move ships, men and supplies to defend London.

Why did people think the sandbanks and shallow channels near the Medway’s mouth were a defence?

They believed large enemy ships would struggle to find the safe channel and might run aground on hidden sandbanks.

How did the Medway’s geography encourage the building of forts and gun batteries?

High ground and narrow points along the river gave good positions for guns that could fire straight down onto any ship trying to pass.

How did the Medway’s geography both protect England and create a risk in 1667?

It seemed so well protected by distance, bends and shallows that England left defences weak, which meant that once the Dutch got in, the river also guided them straight to the anchored English fleet.

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