Plymouth

Plymouth occupies a sheltered harbour on England's southwestern coast, where the rivers Tamar and Plym reach the sea. Its anchorage made it an important base for sailors, merchants and the English navy. From the high ground of Plymouth Hoe ships could be watched as they entered or left the Sound. In 1588 Francis Drake sailed from Plymouth with the English fleet to confront the Spanish Armada. In 1620 the Mayflower departed from the port carrying settlers to North America after earlier delays in their voyage. During the Civil War Plymouth held for Parliament and resisted Royalist attack, its harbour keeping the town supplied by sea.