- Portchester Castle
Location map
Hampshire
label =
lat = 50.836546
long = -1.113034
caption = Map showing the location of Portchester Castle withinHampshire .
float = right
background= white
width = 175Portchester Castle is a medieval
castle and former Roman fort atPortchester to the east ofFareham in the English county ofHampshire . It is located at gbmapping|SU624045, occupying a commanding position at the head ofPortsmouth Harbour . The castle is aScheduled 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 Ilisted 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 byEnglish 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 theNotitia Dignitatum isPortchester Castle and may have been a base of theClassis 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 theRoman 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 woodenpalisade 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 ofNormandy in 1204. There was major rebuilding work during the 14th century and Edward III assembled his 15,000 strong army there before leaving forFrance and his victory at theBattle of Crecy . Richard II turned the castle into a magnificent palace and Henry V set off from Portchester for theBattle 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 theNapoleonic 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]
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