Star Castle, Isles of Scilly

Star Castle is a fortress on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, built in 1593 by Robert Adams, Surveyor of the Royal Works (d.1595) and Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, during the "Spanish invasion scare."

Star Castle

Description

The Star Castle is in the shape of an eight-pointed star and features on the flag of the Council of the Isles of Scilly. It is at the centre of a fortification system around the west side of St Mary’s known as the Garrison. The walls of the castle take the shape of an eight-pointed star. It comprises an outer wall around the outcrop of Hew Hill, protecting the town and the castle, with strategically placed gun batteries at regular intervals around the outer wall, allowing covering fire at all angles.

History
Name plate on Colonel George Boscawen's Battery

The Star Castle was built in 1593 by the Surveyor of the Royal Works and mapmaker Robert Adams, under the direction of Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, following the Spanish Armada of 1588.[1] Fearing another Spanish invasion, in May 1593 Queen Elizabeth I ordered the construction of a fort and two sconces as a lookout for any intruder ships.[2][3]

In 1740 Master Gunner Abraham Tovey transformed the Garrison building walls with gun batteries, including Colonel Boscawen's Battery,[4] in a circular shape following the coast line of The Hoe. In the 18th century it was garrisoned by troops from the Corps of Invalids.

Present usage

Star Castle is now a hotel. American mystery writer Aaron Elkins set his 2006 novel Unnatural Selection in and around the Castle.

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References
  1. Colvin, Howard M., ed., History of the King's Works, vol.3 (1975), pp.94-5, see also vol.4, (1982) for description.
  2. Calendar State Papers Domestic, 1591-1594, London (1867), pp.346-7, 365-367
  3. Nikolaus Pevsner (1970) Cornwall; 2nd ed. (The Buildings of England). Penguin; p. 210
  4. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/garrison-walls/history-and-research/

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