Plate, commemorative plate

This plate commemorates the Siege of Sevastopol which took place during the Crimean War. The combined British and French forces laid siege to the strategically important Russian naval base on the Black Sea between October 1854 and September 1855. The siege was prolonged by the Allies' lack of heavy artillery to breach the Russian fortifications.

The onset of winter resulted in enormous casualties among the Allies as their military commanders had failed to plan for the harsh weather conditions. Unable to break the siege, the Russians eventually scuttled their ships in the harbour and blew up the fortress. On the plate British troops can be seen marching into Sevastopol following the Russian evacuation. The plate was donated to the London Museum by Queen Mary in 1930.