- Portland Castle
Portland Castle is one of the
Device Forts built in 1539 by Henry VIII on theIsle of Portland to guard the natural Portland anchorage known as the Portland Roads. The castle lies in the far north of the island, in the village now called Castletown, nearFortuneswell . The castle is under the care ofEnglish Heritage .The castle artillery forts stretched all around the Kent coast, along the south coast of England, down to Lands End. Strategic sites were chosen protecting possible landing points of an invasion. The area today known as
Portland Harbour was a weak point, and Portland castle was built. The entire harbour fell under artillery range from Portland Castle and nearbySandsfoot Castle .Portland Castle was designed as a squat building, offering less of a target, with a traditional rounded wall towards the sea, designed to deflect incoming ordnance. The land side was moated.
The castle's first action was during the attempted invasion by the
Spanish Armada . The second encounter between the Spanish fleet and theRoyal Navy was off the isle of Portland.Portland castle saw its next action during the
English Civil War . Although the Isle of Portland was a Royalist stronghold, the Parliamentarians took control of the castle at the outbreak of the war. The following year, Portland castle was in Royalist hands following an invasion by the Royalists disguised as Parliamentarians. The castle stayed in Royalist hands despite a four month siege and an attempt to take the castle by force. A second attempt succeeded with a negotiated surrender.Further action was seen during the Anglo-Dutch war with the
Battle of Portland , an inconclusive three day sea battle.Portland castle was armed for the last time during the
Napoleonic Wars .ee also
*
*Device Forts
*Martello Tower
*Eastbourne Redoubt
*Pevensey Castle
*Dymchurch Redoubt References
External links
* [http://www.portlandcastle.co.uk Portland Castle]
* [http://www.weymouth-pictures.co.uk/dor/por/cas/pic_portlandcastle.htm Pictures of Portland Castle]
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