| Summary : Pendennis castle, erected between 1540 and 1545, was the most westerly of a chain of coastal defences erected by Henry VIII in response to the threat of French and Spanish invasion. The original Henrician defences have been significantly enhanced through the years, notably in the Elizabethan period and in the 18th and 19th centuries. The castle was used as a barracks, storehouse and sergeant's mess in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During both the First and the Second World Wars, Pendennis castle became part of Britain's coastal defence system. The site now houses a permanent exhibition on the castle.The Henrician castle was constructed on land leased from the Killigrews of Arwennack. Construction started in 1540 and a circular keep or tower (nearly 17.5 metres in diameter) surrounded by a low polygonal chemise or curtain wall was built. The name 'Pendynas' suggests an ancient fortification already existed on the site and a plan of about 1540 seems to indicate the former presence of a cliff castle. Together with its sister castle at St Mawes, Pendennis defended the approaches to Carrick Roads, one of the largest natural harbours in the country. In 1597, late in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the fortifications were extended with the inclusion of ramparts and bastions to guard against Spanish incursions. The castle was again strengthened prior to the Civil War. In 1646, it was the last Royalist position in the West of England and a Royalist garrison withstood a 5 month siege from Parliamentarian forces before surrendering. Improvements were made to the outer defences in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the castle was used as a barracks up to the time of the First World War. During the First and Second World Wars a number of coastal batteries were constructed on the site as part of Britain's coastal defence system (see associated monuments). The site is now run by English Heritage and there is a permanent exhibition on the castle. |
More information : (SW 824318) Pendennis Castle (NR) (1)
Pendennis Castle was one of the chain of castles erected by Henry VIII under the threat of French invasion. The name, which was 'Pendynas' in 1546, implies an ancient fortification on the site, and on a plan of about 1540, a cliff castle seems to be indicated. The castle was enlarged in the time of Elizabeth to guard against Spanish incursions. In the Civil War it was held for the King until 1646, when it fell to Parliamentary forces after a 5 month siege.
Improvements were made to the outer defences in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the castle was used as a barracks up to the time of the First World War. It became part of the coastal defence system when war was declared. It was again taken over by the army in 1939.
The circular keep and surrounding curtain wall date from between 1542 and 1546 and comprise all of the work by Henry VIII. The keep is approached by a drawbridge with a well preserved portcullis, leading to an octagonal main room on the first floor. The outer defence, with typical angular bastions of the late 16th century, dates from 1583-98; the Italianate outer gateway being probably as late as 1611. Grade I. (2-6)
The Civil War siege of Pendennis Castle, the last Royalist position in the West of England, lasted from March 17th to August 17th 1646. Additional defences were ordered by Lord Hopton in 1645 but never completed (see SW 83 SW 10. 11 and 22 for other Civil War earthworks). (7)
An excavation took place in 1990 within the chemise, no evidence of the original chemise surface was found. A layer of granite scalpings indicated a slabbed surface. This was sealed by a rubbish layer dating from the Victorian period onwards. The base of the ditch was found outside the wall, most of the counter-scarp has been removed during modifications to the castle defences. The relationship between the keep and chemise is more complex than originally thought, evidence suggests they may have been constructed in phases with each other. (8)
Pendennis Castle was constructed on land leased from the Killigrews of Arwennack. Construction started in 1540 and consisted of a circular tower 57ft in diameter surrounded by a low polygonal chemise or curtain wall. The tower shows a change in design, the lower gunports are of a different pattern from the upper ones. The gate house was of a later date, probably built before 1558. The castle defences were reinforced in 1597-8 but these deteriorated rapidly, a 1611 map shows a break in the southern bastion. (9)
A watching brief on the century gun batteries (SE end of the castle rampart) revealed no features which could be associated with the castle. (10)
Pendennis Castle Grade I, The Storehouse Grade II*, former RASC store, Sergeant's Mess and barracks all Grade II. (11)
Listed by Cathcart King. (12)
English Heritage guidebook. (13)
Notes on the state of the castle in 1623. (14)
Notes on the post-Napolonic history of the armaments and fortification. (15)
Detailed description of the various features of the castle. (16)
Detailed descriptions of the castle and headland, with a conservation plan. (17)
Coastal battery at Pendennis Castle located at SW 827 317. By 1902 it was armed with three 6-inch breech-loading (BL) Mk. VI guns on disappearing mountings. Shortly after 1905 the armament was replaced with two 6-inch BL Mk. VII guns, which were in use during the First World War. In the Second World War the battery mounted two 12-pounder guns, as well as a twin 6-pounder gun at Middle Point Battery [see HOB UID 1427677]. The 12-pounder guns had been reduced to care and maintenance by November 1943. (18-19)
There are no remains of the 12-pounder gun emplacement visible on 1995 air photographs. Partial remains of the battery's coast artillery searchlight survive at Pendennis Point, but this area has been heavily redeveloped. (20)
Please refer to this source for a description of Pendennis castle and other Henrician castles. (21)
Originally conceived as part of a network of coastal defences to counter threats from France and then Spain, the castle has been adapted throughout history and has played a role in important events in England including the civil war and both First and Second World wars. The site has been well preserved with evidence of the various uses it has gone through. These include the 16th century keep with a recreated Tudor gun deck, the refurbished 1901 Royal Artillery Barracks, the First World War Guardhouse and Second World War Half Moon Battery. For further information on this site including visitor information please refer to the source. (22)
A new guidebook details the history and development of the castle. (23)
Tree ring dating of various elements of the castle was undertaken in 2001-3. Assuming the timbers were felled for immediate use, the original tower keep may date from the summer of 1540 or shortly after. The forebuilding, the portcullis, and the entrance porch may date from the summer of 1541 or shortly after. (24) |