Southsea Castle
Encyclopedia
Southsea Castle is one of Henry VIII
's Device Forts
, also known as Henrician Castles, built in 1544 on the waterfront at the southern end of Portsea Island
(an area that later became named Southsea
after the castle). The castle was built to guard the eastern entrance to the Solent
and entrance to Portsmouth Harbour
. Henry VIII
watched the Mary Rose
sink from near this location.
. The castle was constructed around a square keep. To the south towards the sea the castle had an angled bastion with the same arrangement on the north side. Square gun platforms made up the east and west sides. Edward VI
spent a night at the castle in 1552 while inspecting the defenses of Portsmouth.
The early part of the 17th century found the castle unarmed and in March 1625 a fire started that caused significant damage to the fortification. It took a further ten years for the damage to be repaired only for further damage to be caused by a fire in march 1640.
the castle was initially held by royalist forces under the command of one Captain Challoner. They moved the castle's guns so they pointed inland leaving the seaward side undefended. The castle was captured as part of the Siege of Portsmouth
in September 1642 by the Parliamentarians by which time the royalist garrison consisted of only a dozen men. The parliamentary forces that assaulted the castle consisted of 400 infantry backed by cavalry. Equipped with ladders the Parliamentarians approached the fort by night and although spotted and fired on by the guns of Portsmouth
were able to make to the seaward side of the castle. At the same time a small party approached the main gate called on the castle to surrender. Captain Challoner was at the time somewhat inebriated and asked them to come back in the morning. Somewhere around this time the guns of Portsmouth once more opened fire on the assaulting force and the Parliamentarians responded by scaling the walls and capturing the castle without further opposition. A significant Parliamentarian garrison was then installed in the castle to keep it from being recaptured.
. The castle was damaged in an accidental gunpowder explosion in August 1759 that killed 17 people. Another rebuilding began in 1814 with the castle being extended north by 20–30 foot. The moat was rebuilt and a Counterscarp
gallery added. In 1828 a lighthouse was constructed on the western gun platform. The lighthouse, which was commissioned by The Admiralty, rises 34 feet above the its base at the top of the walls. A few years later in the 1830s a proposal was made to build a ship canal to the castle from Langstone Harbour
The next alteration to the castle occurred in 1844 when it was modified so that it could serve as a gaol for 100 military prisoners. This arrangement lasted six years before castle gained seven, then up-to-date gun, emplacements and lost its function as a prison.
Then in 1860 its gunpower was augmented substantially when new gun batteries were constructed at either side of the castle, as a result of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
. This resulted in the castle changing from being a stand alone fortification to being the command a control centre of a larger system of defence.
During World War 1 the castle was at first manned by Royal Garrison Artillery
and No 4 company of Hampshire R.G.A territorials. Later these units were transferred to France and were replaced by the Hampshire R.G.A. Volunteers.
Even though it was still in active military use the castle had by 1929 become a tourist attraction. Visitors to Southsea were able to watch the castle garrison carry out practice firings out to sea.
During the World War 2 the castle was hit by a number of incendiary bombs although they did little damage. The castle was manned by a range of units including coastal artillery from the regular army and the home guard
.
On 23 June 1940 the castle became involved in an armed stand-off with the French ships that had escaped the fall of France. The garrison was ordered to prepare to fire on the French craft while the French destroyer Léopard
responded by aiming its guns at the castle. The standoff came to end on 3 July when British forces boarded the ships as part of Operation Catapult.
Currently the castle is operated as a tourist attraction by Portsmouth City Council. In the summer visitors can explore the castle and ramparts for an entrance fee. The castle can also be hired as a venue for weddings and parties. The area next to the castle, known as Castle Field forms a natural amphitheater and is used for various public events including fairs, music concerts and festivals. Among other exhibits the castle houses a collection of cannon. Two of these are outside the castle, a 68-pounder
and an RML 9 inch 12 ton gun
. Within the castle the collection includes a 24 pounder from HMS Royal George
, an RML 9 pounder 8 cwt and two hexagonally rifled
Witworth 3 pounder breach loaders dating from 1876
Prior to the 2011 reopening the castle underwent an extensive cleaning carried out by Portsmouth City Council.
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
's Device Forts
Device Forts
The Device Forts, also known as Henrician Castles, are a series of artillery fortifications built to defend the southern coast of England by Henry VIII. After his divorce of Catherine of Aragon England was left politically isolated, and the peace of Nice between France and Spain in 1538 aroused...
, also known as Henrician Castles, built in 1544 on the waterfront at the southern end of Portsea Island
Portsea Island
Portsea Island is a small, flat and low lying island just off the south coast of England. The island is totally within, and contains a large proportion of, the city of Portsmouth. It has the third-largest population of any island in the British Isles, after the mainlands of Great Britain and...
(an area that later became named Southsea
Southsea
Southsea is a seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern end of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England. Southsea is within a mile of Portsmouth's city centre....
after the castle). The castle was built to guard the eastern entrance to the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
and entrance to Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour is a large natural harbour in Hampshire, England. Geographically it is a ria: formerly it was the valley of a stream flowing from Portsdown into the Solent River. The city of Portsmouth lies to the east on Portsea Island, and Gosport to the west on the mainland...
. Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
watched the Mary Rose
Mary Rose
The Mary Rose was a carrack-type warship of the English Tudor navy of King Henry VIII. After serving for 33 years in several wars against France, Scotland, and Brittany and after being substantially rebuilt in 1536, she saw her last action on 1545. While leading the attack on the galleys of a...
sink from near this location.
History
The Castle was initially constructed in 1544 however there is the possibility that work started the year before. The work was in part paid for by money received as part of the Dissolution of the MonasteriesDissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
. The castle was constructed around a square keep. To the south towards the sea the castle had an angled bastion with the same arrangement on the north side. Square gun platforms made up the east and west sides. Edward VI
Edward VI of England
Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first monarch who was raised as a Protestant...
spent a night at the castle in 1552 while inspecting the defenses of Portsmouth.
The early part of the 17th century found the castle unarmed and in March 1625 a fire started that caused significant damage to the fortification. It took a further ten years for the damage to be repaired only for further damage to be caused by a fire in march 1640.
The Civil War
During the English Civil WarEnglish Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
the castle was initially held by royalist forces under the command of one Captain Challoner. They moved the castle's guns so they pointed inland leaving the seaward side undefended. The castle was captured as part of the Siege of Portsmouth
Siege of Portsmouth
The Siege of Portsmouth was the siege of a Royalist garrison in Portsmouth by a Parliamentarian force conducted in the early part of the English Civil War. The siege resulted in Portsmouth falling to Parliament after a little under a month of conflict....
in September 1642 by the Parliamentarians by which time the royalist garrison consisted of only a dozen men. The parliamentary forces that assaulted the castle consisted of 400 infantry backed by cavalry. Equipped with ladders the Parliamentarians approached the fort by night and although spotted and fired on by the guns of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
were able to make to the seaward side of the castle. At the same time a small party approached the main gate called on the castle to surrender. Captain Challoner was at the time somewhat inebriated and asked them to come back in the morning. Somewhere around this time the guns of Portsmouth once more opened fire on the assaulting force and the Parliamentarians responded by scaling the walls and capturing the castle without further opposition. A significant Parliamentarian garrison was then installed in the castle to keep it from being recaptured.
After the Civil war
With the end of the civil war the castle became a prison for a time. The castle was significantly rebuilt in the 1680s to the design of Bernard de GommeBernard de Gomme
Sir Bernard de Gomme was a Dutch military engineer. By some he is considered the most important figure in 17th century English military engineering.-Early life:...
. The castle was damaged in an accidental gunpowder explosion in August 1759 that killed 17 people. Another rebuilding began in 1814 with the castle being extended north by 20–30 foot. The moat was rebuilt and a Counterscarp
Counterscarp
A scarp and a counterscarp are the inner and outer sides of a ditch used in fortifications. In permanent fortifications the scarp and counterscarp may be encased in stone...
gallery added. In 1828 a lighthouse was constructed on the western gun platform. The lighthouse, which was commissioned by The Admiralty, rises 34 feet above the its base at the top of the walls. A few years later in the 1830s a proposal was made to build a ship canal to the castle from Langstone Harbour
Langstone Harbour
Langstone Harbour is an inlet of the English Channel in Hampshire, sandwiched between Portsea Island to the south and west, Hayling Island to the south and east, and Langstone to the north. Geographically it is a ria....
The next alteration to the castle occurred in 1844 when it was modified so that it could serve as a gaol for 100 military prisoners. This arrangement lasted six years before castle gained seven, then up-to-date gun, emplacements and lost its function as a prison.
Then in 1860 its gunpower was augmented substantially when new gun batteries were constructed at either side of the castle, as a result of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
In 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
. This resulted in the castle changing from being a stand alone fortification to being the command a control centre of a larger system of defence.
During World War 1 the castle was at first manned by Royal Garrison Artillery
Royal Garrison Artillery
The Royal Garrison Artillery was an arm of the Royal Artillery that was originally tasked with manning the guns of the British Empire's forts and fortresses, including coastal artillery batteries, the heavy gun batteries attached to each infantry division, and the guns of the siege...
and No 4 company of Hampshire R.G.A territorials. Later these units were transferred to France and were replaced by the Hampshire R.G.A. Volunteers.
Even though it was still in active military use the castle had by 1929 become a tourist attraction. Visitors to Southsea were able to watch the castle garrison carry out practice firings out to sea.
During the World War 2 the castle was hit by a number of incendiary bombs although they did little damage. The castle was manned by a range of units including coastal artillery from the regular army and the home guard
Home Guard
-Military:*British Home Guard*Combat Groups of the Working Class *Confederate Home Guard, during the American Civil War*Croatian Home Guard and Imperial Croatian Home Guard*Danish Home Guard...
.
On 23 June 1940 the castle became involved in an armed stand-off with the French ships that had escaped the fall of France. The garrison was ordered to prepare to fire on the French craft while the French destroyer Léopard
French destroyer Léopard
The Léopard was a Chacal class destroyer of the French Navy. As one of the large destroyers of her time, she was designed to escort convoys, large naval units, or serve as a light cruiser in remote sectors of the French Empire...
responded by aiming its guns at the castle. The standoff came to end on 3 July when British forces boarded the ships as part of Operation Catapult.
Civilian use
In 1960 Portsmouth city council took control of the castle and in 1967 it was opened as a museum. By 1975 the castle was able to attract 99,704 visitors over the course of a year.Currently the castle is operated as a tourist attraction by Portsmouth City Council. In the summer visitors can explore the castle and ramparts for an entrance fee. The castle can also be hired as a venue for weddings and parties. The area next to the castle, known as Castle Field forms a natural amphitheater and is used for various public events including fairs, music concerts and festivals. Among other exhibits the castle houses a collection of cannon. Two of these are outside the castle, a 68-pounder
68-pounder gun
The 68-pounder cannon was an artillery piece designed and used by the British Armed Forces in the mid-19th century. The cannon was a smoothbore muzzle-loading gun manufactured in several weights, the most common being , and fired projectiles of . Colonel William Dundas designed the 112 cwt version...
and an RML 9 inch 12 ton gun
RML 9 inch 12 ton gun
The RML 9 inch guns Mark I - Mark VI were large rifled muzzle-loading guns used as primary armament on smaller British ironclad battleships and secondary armament on larger battleships, and also ashore for coast defence.-Design:...
. Within the castle the collection includes a 24 pounder from HMS Royal George
HMS Royal George (1756)
HMS Royal George was a 100-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Woolwich Dockyard and launched on 18 February 1756...
, an RML 9 pounder 8 cwt and two hexagonally rifled
Polygonal rifling
Polygonal rifling is a type of gun barrel rifling where the traditional lands and grooves are replaced by "hills and valleys" in a rounded polygonal pattern, usually a hexagon or octagon....
Witworth 3 pounder breach loaders dating from 1876
Prior to the 2011 reopening the castle underwent an extensive cleaning carried out by Portsmouth City Council.
See also
- Device FortsDevice FortsThe Device Forts, also known as Henrician Castles, are a series of artillery fortifications built to defend the southern coast of England by Henry VIII. After his divorce of Catherine of Aragon England was left politically isolated, and the peace of Nice between France and Spain in 1538 aroused...
- Martello TowerMartello towerMartello towers are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards....
- Eastbourne RedoubtEastbourne RedoubtEastbourne Redoubt is a fort on what is now Royal Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex, England.-History:The Redoubt was built between 1804 and 1810 to support the associated Martello towers in defending against the threat of an invasion by Napoleon. It has defended the Eastbourne coast for nearly 200...
- Fortifications of Portsmouth
Further reading
- Brooks, Stephen (1996). Southsea Castle. Andover: Pitkin Guides. ISBN 0853728097
- 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 9781846031304
- Morley, B. M. (1976). Henry VIII and the development of coastal defence. London: H.M. Stationery Office. ISBN 0116707771