Bronze medal commemorating the capture of Louisbourg, 1758

Fort Louisbourg commanded a key strategic position in North America on the route to Quebec. A large British force of 14,000 soldiers and 40 Royal Navy men-o'-war laid siege to it on 8 June 1758. The siege lasted until 26 July, when the French defenders surrendered. This presented the British with the opportunity to attack the French at Quebec, the main city of the French territories in North America.