Portchester Castle

Location map
Hampshire
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Portchester Castle is a medieval castle and former Roman fort at Portchester to the east of Fareham in the English county of Hampshire. It is located at gbmapping|SU624045, occupying a commanding position at the head of Portsmouth Harbour. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument,cite web |title=Portchester Castle |url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=238704 |publisher=Pastscape.org.uk |accessdate=2008-01-27] and a Grade I listed building.cite web |title=Portchester Castle |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=141469 |publisher=ImagesofEngland.org.uk |accessdate=2008-01-27] The site is owned by the State and managed by English Heritage, it is open to visitors. [cite web |title=Portchester Castle |url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14361 |publisher=English-Heritage.org.uk |accessdate=2008-01-27]

Roman fort

It is thought likely the fort of Portus Adurni mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum is Portchester Castle and may have been a base of the Classis Britannica. It may have been built during the 3rd century to protect the southern coastline of Britain from Saxon raiders. It is also currently thought that the fort may have been a trans-shipment port for the Roman Army in an area inhabited by Saxon settlers.

Unusually for a building of this period, the majority of the walls and bastions are complete.

Medieval castle and palace

Around 1090, William Mauduit, the lord of the local manor, built a small Norman castle in the north-west corner of the fort, with a single storey stone keep and wooden palisade on two sides. The old Roman walls became the outer bailey. William Pont de l'Arche acquired the castle in 1130 and founded the priory in the south-east corner of the outer bailey. By 1158, the castle had reverted to the Crown and, about 1180, the palisade was replaced with stone walls surrounded internally by domestic buildings. King John often stayed at Portchester Castle and was there when he heard of the loss of Normandy in 1204. There was major rebuilding work during the 14th century and Edward III assembled his 15,000 strong army there before leaving for France and his victory at the Battle of Crecy. Richard II turned the castle into a magnificent palace and Henry V set off from Portchester for the Battle of Agincourt. He carried out a Fleet Review there before doing so.

Decline to Napoleonic prison

After Henry VII founded the Royal Dockyard at Portsmouth, the castle lost its importance. It was last used in the 19th century as a gaol for prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars.

Public

Portchester Castle is open to the public

References

External links

* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.207 Portchester Castle]
* [http://www.justhampshire.co.uk/daysoutinhampshire/porchestercastle.html A Guide to Portchester Castle] Times, prices and visitor information.
* [http://portchestercastle.co.uk/ An Interactive Guide to Portchester Castle]