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HER Number: | 18708.20 |
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Name: | ST MAWES - C16 blockhouse |
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Summary
The crude embrasures in the blockhouse are reminiscent of early C16 work. The most likely reason for the defence was as a stop-gap measure executed in the late 1530s whilst a co-ordinated design for Pendennis and St Mawes Castles was developed.
Protected Status
- Scheduled Monument 15420: ST MAWES CASTLE
- Listed Building (I) 63079: ST MAWES CASTLE, GATEHOUSE, BLOCKHOUSE, MAGAZINE AND OUTER DEFENCES
Other References/Statuses
- OS No. (OS Quarter-sheet and OS No.): SW83SW 14
- Primary Record No. (1985-2009): 18708.20
- SMR No. (OS Quarter-sheet and SMR No.): SW83SW 5
Monument Type(s):
- BATTERY (16th Century to Unknown - 1535 AD)
Full description
The crude embrasures in the blockhouse are reminiscent of early C16 work. The most likely reason for the defence was as a stop-gap measure executed in the late 1530s whilst a co-ordinated design for Pendennis and St Mawes Castles was developed.
The earliest known accurate plan drawn by Christian Lilly in 1717 shows the Blockhouse with three embrasures and a small building within, possibly a small watch shelter, encompassing two ovens perhaps for heating shot and warming and feeding the guard. The elevation of the work shows that it retained its typical Henrician parapet at this time. Lilly's schedule places three culverins: arranged demiculverin,
whole culverin, demi-culverin, inside. The blockhouse is shown flanked by two other sea batteries.
The blockhouse was probably reduced in height and filled with rubble in 1829 to allow an unrestricted field of fire for the Grand Sea Battery behind. This presumably necessitated the blocking of the four embrasures. The interior was excavated by the Office of Works between the First and Second World Wars when the ovens were discovered. Access is now possible via a wooden stair to the north of the Grand Sea Battery (12).
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Site history:
1: 1938. PD/IAM
2: 1968. KING, AN/OS
3: 1987. WESTON, SM/IAM
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<1> Norden, J, 1728, Speculi Britanniae Pars (Bibliographic reference). SCO4001.
<2> Lysons, D & S, 1814, Magna Britannia, VOL III, CORNWALL, 99, 153 (Bibliographic reference). SCO3885.
<3> Hitchins, F & Drew, S (Eds), 1824, The History of Cornwall, VOL 2, 349-350 (Bibliographic reference). SCO3595.
<4> Polsue, J (Editor), 1867-72, Lake's Parochial History of Cornwall, VOL 2, 309 (Bibliographic reference). SCO4139.
<5> Pasfield Oliver, S, 1875, Pendennis and St Mawes (Bibliographic reference). SCO4086.
<6> Toulmin Smith, L (Ed), 1907, The Itinerary of John Leland (Bibliographic reference). SCO4949.
<7> Ordnance Survey, 1970s, 1:10,000 OS Map (Cartographic materials). SCO4045.
<8> UNKNOWN, 1963, MOW PAMPHLET (Unedited Source). SCO7886.
<9> Carew, R, 1969, The Survey of Cornwall 1602 (Bibliographic reference). SCO3044.
<10> Sheppard, PA, 1980, The Historic Towns of Cornwall, 21-22 (Cornwall Event Report). SCO4422.
<11> Morley, B, 1988, The Castles of Pendennis and St Mawes (Bibliographic reference). SCO3957.
<12> Linzey, R, 2000, Fortress Falmouth. An conservation plan for the historic defences of Falmouth Haven Vol II (2000), Site W1 (Cornwall Event Report). SCO1563.
Sources / Further Reading
[1] | SCO4001 - Bibliographic reference: Norden, J. 1728. Speculi Britanniae Pars. |
[2] | SCO3885 - Bibliographic reference: Lysons, D & S. 1814. Magna Britannia. VOL III, CORNWALL, 99, 153. |
[3] | SCO3595 - Bibliographic reference: Hitchins, F & Drew, S (Eds). 1824. The History of Cornwall. VOL 2, 349-350. |
[4] | SCO4139 - Bibliographic reference: Polsue, J (Editor). 1867-72. Lake's Parochial History of Cornwall. VOL 2, 309. |
[5] | SCO4086 - Bibliographic reference: Pasfield Oliver, S. 1875. Pendennis and St Mawes. |
[6] | SCO4949 - Bibliographic reference: Toulmin Smith, L (Ed). 1907. The Itinerary of John Leland. |
[7] | SCO4045 - Cartographic materials: Ordnance Survey. 1970s. 1:10,000 OS Map. |
[8] | SCO7886 - Unedited Source: UNKNOWN. 1963. MOW PAMPHLET. |
[9] | SCO3044 - Bibliographic reference: Carew, R. 1969. The Survey of Cornwall 1602. |
[10] | SCO4422 - Cornwall Event Report: Sheppard, PA. 1980. The Historic Towns of Cornwall. 21-22. |
[11] | SCO3957 - Bibliographic reference: Morley, B. 1988. The Castles of Pendennis and St Mawes. |
[12] | SCO1563 - Cornwall Event Report: Linzey, R. 2000. Fortress Falmouth. An conservation plan for the historic defences of Falmouth Haven Vol II (2000). Site W1. |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events: none recorded
Related records
18708 | Part of: ST MAWES - C16 castle (Monument) |
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