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Within
a year, on 16 April 1600, the advancement of the Elizabethan
cause was realised with the arrival at Culmore of Henry Dowcra,
with a force of 4,000 foot and 200 horse. Again Derry was occupied
without opposition. A train of events was now in motion which
would introduce drastic changes in Derryís fortunes
which would have profound effects locally and nationally, that
would be felt right up to the present day.
 The
Nine Years War ended with the submission of O'Neill at Kinsale
in 1603. With Sir Henry Dowcra, designated governor, King James
issued a charter for the new “cittie
of derrie”. The expectations were clear:
“The
towne or borough of Derrie is, by reason of the natural
seat and situation thereof, a place very convenient
to be made both a town of war and a town of merchandize
– the king did give, grant, and confirm – forever
a free, entire, and perfect city and county of itself,
to be called the city and county of Derry – Sir
Henry (Dowcra) to be provost for life, as fully as the
lord mayor of London.”
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