| Revision as of 05:25, 22 May 2015 edit*Castle&Gardens* (talk | contribs)33 editsm More information from Walmer Castle & Gardens Guidebook.Tag: Visual edit← Previous edit | Revision as of 05:33, 22 May 2015 edit undo*Castle&Gardens* (talk | contribs)33 editsm →DesignTag: Visual editNext edit → | ||
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| ==Design== | ==Design== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| At the centre of Walmer Castle is a circular ], surrounded by an open four-quartered Courtyard and protected by a |
At the centre of Walmer Castle is a circular ], surrounded by an open four-quartered Courtyard and protected by a Concentric Wall, from which four, squat, semi-circular ]s project. The northern bastion forms the ] which was renovated in 1820 using stone that was reclaimed from Sandown Castle; the other original Bastions have Canons. The Central Keep would have had Canon Ports giving the Castle the capacity to mount 39 Guns. A Tunnel that surrounds the exterior of the Basement Level, known as 'The Rounds' has 32 loops for Muskets/Rifles covering the area of the Dry Moat. | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
Revision as of 05:33, 22 May 2015
Walmer Castle is a castle at Walmer in Kent, England, built by Henry VIII in 1539–1540 as a Coastal Artillery fortress to counter the threat of invasion from France and Spain. It was part of his programme to create a chain of Coastal Defences along England's coast known as the Device Forts or as Henrician Castles. It was one of three forts constructed to defend The Downs, an area of safe anchorage protected by The Goodwin Sands, in Kent, South East England. The other forts of Deal and Sandown, are in the neighbouring town of Deal.
The Castle is owned by The Crown and is currently managed by English Heritage.
Design
At the centre of Walmer Castle is a circular keep, surrounded by an open four-quartered Courtyard and protected by a Concentric Wall, from which four, squat, semi-circular bastions project. The northern bastion forms the gatehouse which was renovated in 1820 using stone that was reclaimed from Sandown Castle; the other original Bastions have Canons. The Central Keep would have had Canon Ports giving the Castle the capacity to mount 39 Guns. A Tunnel that surrounds the exterior of the Basement Level, known as 'The Rounds' has 32 loops for Muskets/Rifles covering the area of the Dry Moat.
History
Tudors and Stuarts
See also: Second English Civil War § The DownsThe defences were never put to the test during the Tudor period, and it was not until 1648, during the English Civil War, that the Castle finally came under Siege. The three 'castles of the Downs' were initially held for Parliament, but the forces manning them switched allegiance to support the Royalist cause. It took Parliamentary forces, led by Colonel Rich, nearly three months to defeat the three castles, with Walmer surrendering first after a three-week siege.
Lord Warden's Residence & Gardens
In 1708 Walmer Castle took on a new role as a Historic House and the Residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The Cinque Ports Confederation originated in the 11th century when the five Ports of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich joined forces to provide ships and men for the defence of the Coast and protection of Cross-Channel Trade. In return for these services they received substantial local privileges including immunity from all external Courts of Justice and from National Taxation. In the 13th Century the Office of Lord Warden was instituted to oversee and regulate the affairs of the Confederation. Initially this position carried real power, but with the formation of the Royal Navy, the role of Lord Warden became that of an honorary position bestowed on those who had given distinguished Service to the State.
Over the years successive Lord Wardens converted the Historic House and its grounds into a more comfortable home with well designed Gardens. Resident Lord Wardens included Sir William Pitt the Younger (whose niece Lady Hester Stanhope initiated the Historic House's Gardens, using labour from the local towns and militia), The Duke of Wellington (who died here), Sir Winston Churchill and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Memorabilia from these past Lord Wardens, including two rooms dedicated to the Duke of Wellington, can be viewed at this Historic House. The present Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports is Admiral Lord Boyce.
See also
References
Further reading
- Colvin, H. M. (ed.) (1982). The History of the King's Works, Vol. IV, 1485–1600, Part II.
- Harrington, Peter (2007). The castles of Henry VIII. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84603-130-4
- Lawson, Susannah (ed.) (2003). Walmer Castle and Gardens. London: English Heritage. ISBN 1-85074-726-1
- Morley, B. M. (1976). Henry VIII and the development of coastal defence. London: H.M. Stationery Office. ISBN 0-11-670777-1
External links
- Page at English Heritage
- Read a detailed historical record on Walmer Castle
- dead link] English Heritage conservation
- Information for teachers: English Heritage
| Device Forts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Essex / Suffolk |  | |
| Kent / Sussex | ||
| Pembrokeshire | ||
| The Thames | ||
| Isle of Wight / Solent | ||
| Cornwall / Devon / Dorset | ||
| Yorkshire and the Humber | ||
51°12′3.57″N 1°24′8.31″E / 51.2009917°N 1.4023083°E / 51.2009917; 1.4023083
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