Salcombe Castle

Salcombe Castle or Fort Charles is a ruined fortification just off the beach of North Sands in Salcombe, Devon, England, within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located on a rocky outcrop which is easily reached on foot at low tide. It is a Grade II listed building and ancient monument.[1][2]

Salcombe Castle from North Sands

The ruined structure includes a four-storey 7 metres (23 ft) semicircular tower with gun ports near the top. It is connected by a section of wall to a rectangular tower which is 6 metres (20 ft) high.[3]

History

The castle is thought to have been constructed originally during the reign of Henry VIII, to defend the Kingsbridge estuary against French and Spanish pirates.[3]

The fort was strengthened in the 1640s on the orders of Prince Maurice.[2] It was the last place to hold out in the Royal cause against the victorious Parliamentarian troops of Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War. Sir Edmund Fortescue was ordered to hold it in 1643, when nearby Plymouth rose against the king; he rebuilt the castle at a cost of £135 6s 11d, and gave it the name "Fort Charles". [4][5] The castle was besieged from 15 January to 7 May 1646, and surrendered then only because it became clear that all other royalist strongholds had been overrun; the garrison were allowed to withdraw with their colours flying.[6] After the Civil War the castle was "slighted" (ruined) on the orders of Parliament as it was "too dangerous" to allow it to remain.[7]

In the 18th or 19th century a small watchtower was added.[3]

  • Ruins taken from North Sands
  • Taken from a boat in the estuary
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References
  1. Historic England. "Salcombe Castle (remains) (1289407)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  2. Historic England. "Fort Charles (1020165)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  3. "Fort Charles, Salcombe". Gatehouse. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  4. Fortescue, Sir John; Clermont, Baron Thomas Fortescue (1869). The Works of Sir John Fortescue, Knight ... p. 32. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  5. Henning, Basil Duke (1983). The House of Commons, 1660-1690: Members C-L. Boydell & Brewer. p. 348. ISBN 978-0-436-19274-6. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  6. Hawkins, Abraham (1819). Kingsbridge and Salcombe, with intermediate estuary, historically and topographically depicted. D. Southwood. p. 94. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  7. Historic England. "Salcombe Castle (444277)". PastScape. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
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