| Summary : The site of Upnor Castle, an artillery castle situated on the north-western bank of the River Medway which survives in the form of standing buildings, ruined structures and earthworks. It is constructed of ragstone faced with coursed ashlar blocks with some red brick. The castle was built in two main phases, initially between 1559 and 1567 to a design by Sir Richard Lee. The second phase of construction, dating to between 1599 and 1601, aimed mainly to improve the landward defences of the castle, and a remodelling of the frontage to form a bastion. The castle was attacked by the Dutch during the Raid on the Medway (1584349), the LOYAL LONDON (1033766), ROYAL JAMES (1179931) and ROYAL OAK (1179971) being sunk to protect the castle. Fire from the castle sank several Dutch long boats (1534250).During the 18th century, the castle's accommodation was extended by the construction of a new barrack block and associated storage buildings. The castle and its depot continued to supply munitions to the navy until 1827, when it was fitted out as an ordnance laboratory. During World War II the castle served as part of the Magazine Establishment. After 1945, it passed out of military use and was opened to the public, and is now in the care of English Heritage. It is also a Listed Building and Scheduled Ancient Monument. Upnor Castle was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. |
More information : [TQ 7585 7057] CASTLE [G.T.] (1)
In 1560 Richard Watts was appointed to erect a Bulwark at Upnor, on the western bank of the Medway opposite the Chatham dockyard, "for the savegard of our Navy." (2). It took four years to complete.
Upnor Castle is built of well coursed Kentish ragstone. It consists of a rectangular courtyard, defended by a thick curtain wall and a wide irregular ditch, with tall towers (at the NE and SE corners) and a large triangular bastion or battery (on the east) projecting into the river. The main entrance is a gatehouse on the western side and there is a sally port in the northern curtain. The main building occupies the eastern part of the courtyard, but it has been so much altered that its original lay-out is uncertain. Alterations, in brick, were made to the gatehouse and north tower about 1653 and round windows were inserted in the east front in the 18th century. In 1586 an iron chain "to cross the river over against Upnor Castle with timber work on both sides of the river" is first mentioned. (3).
This chain is frequently mentioned and it was broken through in 1667 when the Dutch fleet sailed up the Medway. See AO/58/56/1. (2-4)
Additional references. (5-8)
A post-medieval dockyard fort and magazine, in the process of being converted into a maritime museum, at the time of writing in 1951. (9)
The castle, in good condition and as described, was described as being under the care of the Ministry of Works and no longer a maritime museum at the time of writing in 1964. See postcard view of Castle. (10)
Official guide-book giving history, plans, and photos. (11)
Upnor Castle, Grade I. Fort 1559-67 to designs by Sir Richard Lee, enlarged 1599-1601 to designs by Arthur Gregory and an Italian engineer surnamed Baptist. Converted into magazine, 1668, Ordnance Laboratory 1827 and part of the Naval Armament Supply Department in the late 19th century.
Upnor Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is in the care of the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission, as recorded in 1986. (For full description see list) (12)
Additional bibliography. (13-20)
Scheduled. (21)
On the second floor of the south tower of the Gatehouse, bomb damage in 1941 revealed a drawing of a ship. The spritsail topmast suggests a date of around 1700. Traces of possible earlier decoration of black bands and a stencilled strapwork pattern also exist in an adjacent guardroom. (22)
Additional reference. (23)
The castle was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 2007 as part of aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.(24)
The Dutch attacked Upnor during the Raid on the Medway: after breaking through the chain on Wednesday 12 June, they anchored prior to an attack the following day on the LOYAL LONDON, ROYAL JAMES and ROYAL OAK, all sunk off the castle as blockships. (25)
The London Gazette noted that: ' . . . they were so warmly entertained by Major Scot, who commanded there, and on the other side by Sir Edward Spragg, from the Battery at the Shoare, that after very much Dammage received by them in the shattering of their ships, in sinking severall of their Long Boats manned out by them, in the great number of their Men kill'd, and some Prisoners taken, they were at the last forced to retire . . . ' (26) |