Garrison, at Plymouth ([1787])

Grose, Francis. Antiquities of England and Wales. London: S. Hooper, 1785. Vol. VIII. pp. 51-2.THE FORT OR GARRISON OF PLYMOUTH.The first fortress erected here is said to have been built by one of the Valtorts, who were lords of the part of the town; others say by Edmond Stafford bishop of Exeter, and chancellor of England under King Edward III. Godwin does not mention this erection in his life of that bishop.Leland, in his Itinerary, vol. vii. P.22, describes a fort then existing, in these words:-"The mouth of the gulph wherein the shippes of Plymouth lyeth, is waullid on eche side, and chainid over in tyme of necessitie; on the south-west side of this mouth is a blok house, and on a rokky hille hard by it, is a stronge castel quadrate, having at eche corner a great rounde tower. It seemith to be no very old peace of worke."Carew, in his Survey of Cornwall, says Queen Elizabeth built a fort here; whether it was a new erection, or only a repair or addition to a former fortress, is uncertain. During the civil wars Plymouth was in the hands of the parliamentarians, and was several times unsuccessfully attacked by the royalists.The present fort was built by King Charles II. who had experienced the importance of its situation, as it both commands the town, and defends the harbour. It is supposed to have been built on the scite of the old castle. It is of an irregular figure, having towards the land side three bastions, a ditch, ravelins and a couvert way, with divers irregular works towards the water. Within the fort are barracks for the garrison, and a house for the governor. Its walls are said to include about two acres of ground.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Copper l.engr

105x151mm

S008. GROSE, Francis: ANTIQUITIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.