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Name:Rufus Castle, Portland
Type of Record:Listed Building
HER Number:MDO6505
Last edited:Sep 6 2024 4:36PM


Monument Type(s):

  • CASTLE (Medieval to Victorian - 1142 AD to 1899 AD)
  • KEEP (Medieval - 1142 AD to 1142 AD)
  • LOOPHOLED WALL (Medieval to Tudor - 1467 AD to 1499 AD)
  • BRIDGE (Georgian to Victorian - 1800 AD to 1899 AD)

Summary

The site of a castle, captured in 1142 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester and rebuilt in the late 15th century. The remains of the 15th century octagonal tower with gun loops, walls and gateway survive. The approach bridge and entry archway are 19th century in date. The walls to the north and west stand to their full height, but part of the south east wall, which is thinner has broken away.

Protected Status

  • Scheduled Monument DO 51: Rufus Castle
  • Listed Building (I) 1280727: RUFUS CASTLE WITH BRIDGE
  • Conservation Area
  • Conservation Area: Portland Conservation Area
  • World Heritage Site 1000101: Dorset and East Devon Coast

Sources and Further Reading

<1>SDO150 - Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3. 252-3.
<2>SWX2035 - Article in serial: King, D J C. 1947. Bow and Arrow Castle, Portland. Vol 69. 65-67.
<3>SWX2036 - Monograph: Renn, D. 1973. Norman castles in Britain. 113.
<4>SWX2136 - Scheduling record: Department of the Environment. 21 Sept 1978. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Weymouth and Portland amendment 1978. p6.
<5>SWX2037 - Scheduling record: DOE. 1979. Scheduled Monument Notification DOE (IAM) Anc Mons Eng 3.12.79 82.
<6>SDO11900 - Unpublished document: Barton, J G. Various. Field Investigators Comments JGB. F1 JGB 30-JUL-80.
<7>SDO19866 - Serial: Fortress Study Group. 1980. Fort: the international journal of fortification and military architecture. 5. 8.
<8>SDO16340 - Monograph: Cathcart-King, D J. 1983. Castellarium anglicanum: an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. 1. 125.
<9>SDO17396 - Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map. 1:10000. 1974.
<10>SDO7 - Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1891. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club. 12. 124.
<11>SDO47 - Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1948. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1947. 69. 65-67.
<12>SDO12705 - Aerial Photograph: XX-XXX-2009. Google Earth.
<13>SDO13125 - Aerial Photograph: National Monuments Record. 08-AUG-2007. SY 6971/017-026 NMR 24690/14-23.
<14>SDO14738 - Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. FL01018.
<15>SDO14738 - Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. OS55/F155/3.
<16>SDO14738 - Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. OS55/F74/8.
<17>SDO14739 - Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 451726.

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