The Apprentice Boys of Derry Background The Apprentice

The Apprentice Boys of Derry

Background • The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal society with a worldwide membership of over 80, 000, founded in 1814. • They are based in the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. However, there are Clubs and branches across Ireland, Great Britain and further afield.

• The Society aims to commemorate the 1689 Siege of Derry when Catholic King James II (2 nd) laid siege to the walled city, which was at the time a Protestant stronghold.

Siege of Derry • The Siege of Derry took place from 18 April to 28 July 1689. • When the Governor of Derry, Robert Lundy heard that the forces of King James were planning to attack the city, he believed the best option was to surrender. • Lundy held a meeting of his officers and advocated the surrender of the city. • On 14 April, he had turned away reinforcements led by Colonel Cunningham when they arrived in the River Foyle, stating that the city was to be surrendered.

• When news of his plan to surrender was discovered, he lost control of the city and was forced to escape in disguise; he made his way to Scotland; forevermore becoming branded as “Lundy the Traitor”. • The defence of the city was left in the hands of Major Henry Baker, Major the Rev. George Walker and Colonel Adam Murray. The rallying cry of the Rev. Walker was 'no surrender'; the citizens supported the new commanders and prepared to defend the city. • A group of 13 Apprentices ran to the gates of the city and shut them as James’ forces neared the city.

• As a result, James’ forces placed the city under siege in the hope of starving the citizens into surrender. • Eventually, the siege was broken when Royal Navy relief ships eventually broke through the barricades of the Kings forces. • The siege had lasted 105 days. • Approx. 8000 people had died out of the cities population of 30, 000, mostly of starvation and disease.

Commemoration & Celebration • The siege is commemorated annually by the Apprentice Boys of Derry who stage the week long Maiden City Festival culminating in a parade around the walls of the city by local members, followed by a parade of the city by the full Association.

Controversy & Violence • Over the years, parades by the Apprentice Boys have led on many occasions to violent clashes between the Protestant and Catholic communities in Derry. • To Nationalists, the AB is seen as a “sectarian” organisation, which is triumphalist in its celebration of a Protestant victory of a Catholic King. • The ban on any Catholic membership or on any members having Catholic family links does little to ease such views.

Recent Times • As a result of the improved situation in N. Ireland, because of the “Peace Process”, parades by groups by the AB have become less controversial. • The Association has developed better relations with Catholic neighbourhoods, and agreement is usually reached now regarding Parade Routes and times, etc. • Nevertheless, the “Marching Season” (July-August) is generally a tense time in cities like Derry, although clashes or trouble at such events has become rarer in recent years.