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Summary

Dartmouth Castle was a medieval enclosure castle considered to date from the 14th century in the form of a ring of towers connected by a curtain wall. Two sections of curtain wall still stand along with the base of a circular tower and a rock cut moat. It was built by John Hawley, a local merchant and became known as Hawley's Fortalice.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (I) 1197563: DARTMOUTH CASTLE AND GUN PLATFORMS TO WEST AND SOUTH
• Listed Building (I) 1197566: WALLS OF THE RUINED FORTALICE
• Listed Building (II) 1297085: CASTLE TEAROOMS
• Listed Building (II) 1197565: K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK IN DARTMOUTH CASTLE GROUNDS
• Listed Building (II*) 1297087: THE OLD BATTERY
• Scheduled Monument 1014610: Dartmouth Castle

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: 446022
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX85SE/37
• Old Listed Building Ref (I): 387137
• Old SAM County Ref: 191(PART)
• Old SAM Ref: 24234
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX85SE15
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX85SE16
• Tide Project: 16/07/2020

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CASTLE (Constructed, XIV to XVI - 1301 AD (Between) to 1600 AD (Between))

Full description

Swete, R. J. (Revd), DRO 564M/2/151,2/165 (Record Office Collection). SDV177416.

Illustration by Swete.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, SX85SE15 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV172285.

A house was built inside the enclosure of the 14th century castle.

Windeatt, E., 1914, The Borough of Clifton-Dartmouth-Hardness, 421-2 (Article in Serial). SDV173192.

Castle on site since Saxon times. Earliest date mentioned, 1470 when Earl of Warwick landed here.

O'Neil, B. H. St J., 1935, Dartmouth Castle and other defences in Dartmouth Haven, 129-58 (Article in Serial). SDV177411.

Dartmouth Castle.14th century castle with possible interior dwelling, later partially incorporated into an artillery fort. The first defences at Dartmouth date from 1336, when the Crown commissioned local gentry: to take measures to protect the town and district from the French. Similar commissions were also issued in 1374, 1377 and 1381. The 14th century castle consisted of a courtyard enclosed by a ditch and curtain wall with small round towers and a rectangular stone gate tower, within this was a dwelling. Little still stands of this castle, although there are illustrations of circa 1540 and the 18th century. The curtain in places stands about 7 metres high, and 2 metres wide at base. This article describes in detail the surviving portions. Other details: Plan & photos.

Russell, P., 1947 - 1949, Dartmouth: Pre-reformation the Castle and St Petrox, 199-200 (Article in Serial). SDV172956.

A ring of towers and a curtain wall appear to have been built prior to the time of the castle, according to a document of 1388.

Russell, P. M. G., 1950, Untitled Source, 59 (Plan - measured). SDV177414.

A plan of 1740 is reproduced. Photocopy in parish file.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1950 - 1980, SX85SE16 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV177410.

Loomie, A. J., 1963, An Armada Pilot's Survey of the English Coastline, October 1597, 288-300 (Article in Serial). SDV23874.

1597 survey mentions a chain stretched across the harbour between Kingswear and Dartmouth Castles, and artillery trenches adjoining each.

Saunders, A. D., 1965, Dartmouth Castle (Pamphlet). SDV173182.

Devon County Council, 1975, Dartmouth - Walk about in the Conservation Area & Exploring Dartmouth and Kingswear, 35 (Article in Monograph). SDV352452.

Higham, R. A., 1979, The Castles of Medieval Devon, 172-321+ fig 62 + pl 63-4 (Post-Graduate Thesis). SDV336189.

Other details: PhD thesis, Exeter University.

Higham, R. A., 1988, Devon Castles: An Annotated List (Article in Serial). SDV341278.

Description and foundation date (1336) as O'Neil. Walled enclosure defending a manor house.

Griffith, F. M., 1990, DAP/SS, 7,8 (Aerial Photograph). SDV177423.

Saunders, A. D., 1993, Dartmouth Castle, 17-22 (Monograph). SDV174434.

Department of National Heritage, 1994, Dartmouth, 1-7 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV157498.

Gerrard, S., 1995, Dartmouth Castle, No 140335 (Report - Survey). SDV177421.

Medieval enclosure castle considered to date from the 14th century when a series of documents indicate that various local gentry were commissioned to construct a fort to defend Dartmouth Harbour. The castle is believed to have taken the form of a ring of towers connected by a curtain wall, which was entered through a rectangular stone gate tower. Two lengths of curtain wall standing about 12 metres high and 2 metres wide, a circular tower and a substantial rock cut moat are visible, although the other towers and lengths of the curtain wall may survive as buried features. The character of the seaward defences and the buildings erected within the enclosure is not known, though the possibility of the round tower within the chain tower being part of the castle should not be discounted. A chasm immediately west of the north gun platform associated with the chain tower is considered to represent the rock cut ditch at the point where it meets the sea.

Horner, B., 1996, DAP/AAY, 30 (Aerial Photograph). SDV177425.

Department of National Heritage, 1996, Dartmouth Castle, No 24234 (Schedule Document). SDV320377.

Dartmouth Castle includes a medieval enclosure castle, mansion, chain towe and post-medieval coastal battery situated on a rocky peninsula protruding into the entrance to the Dart estuary. The enclosure castle is Listed Grade I and believed to have been a ring of towers connected by a curtain wall entered through a rectangular stone gate tower.Two lengths of curtain wall, a circular tower and a rock cut moat are still visible with the rest possibly surviving as buried features. The chain tower is a Grade I Listed Building and includes a circular stone tower onto which a square tower was added during the building work. Part of the round tower may have formed a section of the original enclosure castle.

Higham, R. A. + Freeman, J. P., 1996, Devon Castles (Draft Text), 6, 14, Gazetteer (Monograph). SDV354350.

A mid 14th century castle, located on the western bank of the narrow entrance to the Dart estuary about a mile south of the medieval port and borough of Dartmouth. It was rebuilt as an irregularly shaped fortification designed for the deployment of artillery in 1481-6. In 1481 the king ordered that a 'strong tower and bulwark of stone' should be completed next to the castle and equipped with guns and cannon, and a chain be stretched across the river to control shipping. Kingswear Castle on the other side of the river was built in the late 15th century.
The curtain wall of the early castle still survives on the northern and south-western side but nothing is known of the form of its domestic arrangements. The artillery defences seem to have been built over one corner of the earlier defences and comprise a rectangular and a semicircular tower joined to form a single unit and furnished with gun loops and gun ports. The latter are the earliest English examples of their type.

Dyer, M. J., 1998, Archaeological Monitoring and Recording at Dartmouth Castle, 4 (Report - Watching Brief). SDV172292.

Archaeological monitoring and recording during the excavation of trenches for water works at Dartmouth Castle in 1998 established the nature and arrangement of the curtain wall footings of the 14th century enclosure castle and associated ditch. Cartographic evidence shows that a length of curtain wall along the west side of the enclosure was present in 1745 but demolished between 1841 and 1885 when the present road was constructed.

Edwards, T., 1998, Hawley's Fortalice: Dartmouth's first castle (Pamphlet). SDV177422.

Dartmouth Castle built in the 15th century was the first in England to be constructed specifically for artillery. The site incorporates the remains of an earlier fortification built about 100 years previously. The fortification became known as 'Hawley's Fortalice' after John Hawley who was Mayor of the town at the time. It is the earliest known example of a fort built by a municipal authority as opposed to the private castle of an individual. Other details: Plans and photographs.

Gaimster, M. + Haith, C. + Bradley, J., 1999, Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1998, 238 (Article in Serial). SDV361737.

Summary of watching brief results (see SDV172292).

Goodwin, N., 2002, Archaeological recording at Dartmouth Castle (Report - Watching Brief). SDV177426.

Two trenches were excavated in 2002 in the pathway to the north and northwest of the church. Trench 1 revealed a modern path over levelling layers producing 18th and 19th century pottery. Trench 2 revealed a clay bonded cobbled surface sloping down to the west over a layer of levelling. Below this was a brick arch 0.36 metres thick with the lowest voussoirs of late 17th - early 18th century brick. A late 17th - early 18th century doorway and door were recorded in the west wall of the northern gun platform to the north of the church. The doorway was constructed of lime mortar bonded slate blocks with a brick lintel. The 19th century door and frame showed modern repairs and an old iron knocker.

Dyer, M. J., 2003, Archaeological Watching Brief During Bridge Removal and Installation of New Fencing at Dartmouth Castle, Devon (Report - Watching Brief). SDV152598.

Archaeological watching brief undertaken during installation of new safety fencing located at northern side of castle. Stratigraphy consisted of building rubble; 1 sherd of 18th century pottery was recovered.

Batty, M., 2003, South Devon Coast Path Project: a study of the archaeology along the coast path in the South Hams from Staddon Heights to Sharkham Point, 83 (Un-published). SDV336214.

Young, G. M., 2004, Dartmouth Castle: Phase 2 Condition Survey Works. Archaeological Watching Brief and Recording (Report - Survey). SDV320380.

Repairs and alterations were undertaken at Dartmouth Castle between May 2003 and March 2004. The work involved building recording of the Square and Round Towers. The base of the Round Tower was found to be constructed almost entirely of purple-brown and grey limestone unlike the rest of the tower which contributed to the belief that the Round Tower is built on existing foundations of the former medieval Fortalice. From the pattern of stone usage it appears that the remains of the former Fortalice tower were levelled off before construction of the later Round Tower but some of the limestone was reused. The curtain wall of the 'Fortalice' overlooking the present car park was cleared of undergrowth with some consolidation of the top surface. The 7 metre high wall of mainly grey and reddish-brown slate with some layered limestone appears to have originally been mud-bonded.

2004, Tree ring date lists 2004 (Article in Serial). SDV361593.

The following tree ring date recorded for DARTMOUTH, Old Castle (SX 887 503) Felling date range: 1472-1508.

Bell, J. S., 2005, Archaeological recording on excavations at Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth (Report - Excavation). SDV321527.

No undisturbed natural material nor any archaeological features were recorded during excavations as part of project to improve drainage system to the warden's facilities.

Ordnance Survey, 2009, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV341569.

Pink, F., 2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment (Interpretation). SDV357736.

Sharpe, A., 2016, Dartmouth Castle, Devon. Conservation Management Plan 2016, Gazetteer No. 5 (Report - Assessment). SDV361934.

Fortalice built at Dartmouth Point in 1388 under the leadership of John Hawley, mayor of Dartmouth at the time. The fort appears to have taken the form of a series of strong round towers linked by massive curtain walls and a wide dry ditch which ran from Castle Cove to the south to just west of the present St Petrox Church to the north, where the gatehouse was situated.
It is not clear if the fortifications continued around the cliff edge, although it has been conjectured that the base courses of the 15th century gun tower represent a further part of the defensive circuit.
It is presumed that the fortalice was abandoned on Hawley's death in 1408. The open plan of the castle rendered it vulnerable to attack from enemy shipping and an artillery fort was built in the 15th century. The castle appears to have become the site of a mansion and it is possible that its interior was landscaped to provide gardens and pleasure grounds. Much of it remained until the 19th century. The gatehouse for example is recorded as being rebuilt in 1596-7 after it collapsed. However, by the time of the 1890 Ordnance Survey map almost all of the walling had gone and in 1934 it was reported that the northern section of the ditch was being filled with rubbish.
Parts of the curtain wall still stand today together with the south-western tower. A watching brief during sewer trenching in the 1990s recorded a section of the dry ditch, 10 metres wide, under Castle Road. The 2.2 metre wide wall foundations were also revealed separated from the ditch by a f.0 metre wide berm.
Despite the fact that only small sections of the original 14th century castle survive, what does remain neverthless plays an important role in the history of the development of the defences at Dartmouth Point.
See report for full details.

Waterhouse, R., Unknown, Dartmouth Conservation Area: Archaeology, 6 (Un-published). SDV355585.

A quadrangular castle was built around a small manor house by St. Petrox Church by John Hawley, a merchant, in 1388 and became known as Hawley's Fortalice. A floating chain was stretched across the harbour mouth at night to repel attacks by foreign ships.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV152598	Report - Watching Brief: Dyer, M. J.. 2003. Archaeological Watching Brief During Bridge Removal and Installation of New Fencing at Dartmouth Castle, Devon. Exeter Archaeology Report. Project No 4687. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV157498	List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest: Department of National Heritage. 1994. Dartmouth. Historic Houses Register. A4 Comb Bound. 1-7.
SDV172285	Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. SX85SE15. Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card. Card Index.
SDV172292	Report - Watching Brief: Dyer, M. J.. 1998. Archaeological Monitoring and Recording at Dartmouth Castle. Exeter Archaeology Report. 98.64. A4 Stapled + Digital. 4.
SDV172956	Article in Serial: Russell, P.. 1947 - 1949. Dartmouth: Pre-reformation the Castle and St Petrox. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 23. Unknown. 199-200.
SDV173182	Pamphlet: Saunders, A. D.. 1965. Dartmouth Castle. Department of Environment Guide. Unknown.
SDV173192	Article in Serial: Windeatt, E.. 1914. The Borough of Clifton-Dartmouth-Hardness. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 46. A5 Hardback. 421-2.
SDV174434	Monograph: Saunders, A. D.. 1993. Dartmouth Castle. Dartmouth Castle. Unknown. 17-22.
SDV177410	Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1950 - 1980. SX85SE16. Card Index.
SDV177411	Article in Serial: O'Neil, B. H. St J.. 1935. Dartmouth Castle and other defences in Dartmouth Haven. Archaeologia. 85. Unknown. 129-58.
SDV177414	Plan - measured: Russell, P. M. G.. 1950. Dartmouth. Plan. 59.
SDV177416	Record Office Collection: Swete, R. J. (Revd). DRO 564M/2/151,2/165. Illustration. Unknown.
SDV177421	Report - Survey: Gerrard, S.. 1995. Dartmouth Castle. Monument Protection Programme. Archaeological Item Dataset.. Unknown. No 140335.
SDV177422	Pamphlet: Edwards, T.. 1998. Hawley's Fortalice: Dartmouth's first castle. Dartmouth History Research Group Papers. 24. A5 Unbound.
SDV177423	Aerial Photograph: Griffith, F. M.. 1990. DAP/SS. Devon Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper) + Digital (Scan). 7,8.
SDV177425	Aerial Photograph: Horner, B.. 1996. DAP/AAY. Devon Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 30.
SDV177426	Report - Watching Brief: Goodwin, N.. 2002. Archaeological recording at Dartmouth Castle. Exeter Archaeology Report. 02.41. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV23874	Article in Serial: Loomie, A. J.. 1963. An Armada Pilot's Survey of the English Coastline, October 1597. The Mariner's Mirror. 49. Unknown. 288-300.
SDV320377	Schedule Document: Department of National Heritage. 1996. Dartmouth Castle. The Schedule of Monuments. A4 Stapled. No 24234.
SDV320380	Report - Survey: Young, G. M.. 2004. Dartmouth Castle: Phase 2 Condition Survey Works. Archaeological Watching Brief and Recording. Exeter Archaeology Report. 04.38. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV321527	Report - Excavation: Bell, J. S.. 2005. Archaeological recording on excavations at Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth. Exeter Archaeology Report. 5334. A4 Stapled + Digital.
SDV336189	Post-Graduate Thesis: Higham, R. A.. 1979. The Castles of Medieval Devon. University of Exeter Thesis. Unknown. 172-321+ fig 62 + pl 63-4.
SDV336214	Un-published: Batty, M.. 2003. South Devon Coast Path Project: a study of the archaeology along the coast path in the South Hams from Staddon Heights to Sharkham Point. Mixed Archive Material. 83.
SDV341278	Article in Serial: Higham, R. A.. 1988. Devon Castles: An Annotated List. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 46. Paperback Volume.
SDV341569	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2009. MasterMap. MasterMap. Digital. [Mapped feature: #82536 ]
SDV352452	Article in Monograph: Devon County Council. 1975. Dartmouth - Walk about in the Conservation Area & Exploring Dartmouth and Kingswear. Devon Town Trails: European Architectural Heritage Year. Paperback Volume. 35.
SDV354350	Monograph: Higham, R. A. + Freeman, J. P.. 1996. Devon Castles (Draft Text). Devon Castles. A4 Unbound + Digital. 6, 14, Gazetteer.
SDV355585	Un-published: Waterhouse, R.. Unknown. Dartmouth Conservation Area: Archaeology. Digital. 6.
SDV357736	Interpretation: Pink, F.. 2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Desk-Based Assessment. AC Archaeology Report. ACD618/4/3. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV361593	Article in Serial: 2004. Tree ring date lists 2004. Vernacular Architecture. 35. Unknown.
SDV361737	Article in Serial: Gaimster, M. + Haith, C. + Bradley, J.. 1999. Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1998. Medieval Archaeology. 43. Unknown. 238.
SDV361934	Report - Assessment: Sharpe, A.. 2016. Dartmouth Castle, Devon. Conservation Management Plan 2016. Cornwall Archaeological Unit. A4 Comb Bound + Digital. Gazetteer No. 5.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV1355 - Archaeological recording on excavations at Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth
• EDV690 - Archaeological watching brief during bridge removal and installation of new fencing at Dartmouth Castle
• EDV691 - Archaeological monitoring & recording at Dartmouth Castle
• EDV692 - Archaeological recording at Dartmouth Castle
• EDV693 - Dartmouth Castle: Phase 2 condition survey works, archaeological watching brief & recording

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