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Portchester Castle - Portchester, Hampshire (EH)

Portchester Castle is a varied and interesting site, comprising a Roman Fort, later adapted into a Norman Castle, which in turn became a medieval Royal palace. 

In the late third century, the Romans built a series of defensive forts along the south and east coasts of England, to protect their colony from the increasingly active Saxons. The forts are collectively known as the Saxon Shore forts. Here at Portchester, the fort would have provided a secure base for the Roman fleet sheltering in the harbour. The fort walls are very impressive and enclose a considerable area, which was occupied up to and beyond the departure of the Roman army in the fourth century. Evidence of civilians living inside the fort exists in the form of archeological finds from the period of women's shoes, domestic and industrial activity and infant burial. At this period, adult burial was outside the settlement area. After the Romans left, the walls and buildings inside were ready made for the local population and then later on the West Saxon settlers.

During the seventh to ninth centuries, timber houses and the remnants of domestic occupation (rubbish pits, wells etc.) were still protected by the walls and towers although at the end of the ninth century, there appears to have been a break in occupation. By 904AD, Portchester belonged to King Edward the Elder and it became one of the burghs, a protected stronghold manned by the local population along very organised lines. The burghs now protected against Viking raids. Around 1000AD, the Roman Watergate was rebuilt, with a stone gatehouse attached and there was also by this time another stone building inside the complex.

After the Norman invasion in 1066, Portchester manor (i.e. the land which supported the castle) was given to William Mauduit, one of William's supporters. By the time of his death around 1100, Portchester had acquired an inner bailey and the first phase of the Keep building, across the landward corner of the Roman perimeter walls. The Keep was probably raised to two stories in the early part of the twelfth century under William Mauduit's son, Robert. Robert was unfortunately drowned along with King Henry I's son in 1120 and Portchester reverted to the Crown. As a Crown property, Portchester's use as a convenient stronghold for Channel crossings was fully utilised by Henry I, who frequently passed through.

In about 1128, the then owner of the castle, William Pont de l'Arche, founded an abbey within the outer bailey, the sole surviving parts of which are the main body of the church and the drains of the lavatories on the exterior wall. The monks didn't stay very long at Portchester, finding nearby Southwick more convenient. The Keep was doubled in height and a chapel and chamber were added to its forebuilding around the middle of the century. Royal bullion was shipped to Normandy in 1163-4 and Henry II stayed here several times. Domestic buildings were also constructed and by the end of the century, there was suitable accommodation for royalty, the resident constable and a garrison.

King John often stayed at Portchester, although it was now declining as a town, with the new navel development at Portsmouth attracting settlers and workers. During his reign, the barons revolted and a supporting French army captured the castle for a time. The castle was repaired after the war, but declined in importance as a royal residence, belonging to a succession of Queens and Dowagers. It was not until the fourteenth century that major repairs and alterations were made, probably under Hugh Despenser in around 1322. A new forebuilding to the Keep, portcullises to the gateways and repairs to old walls and halls were completed. King Edward II visited several times and the constable's lodgings were improved. 

During the Hundred Year's War, repairs were made at Portchester, in 1337-8 and again in 1346, before Edward III came here while getting together his army of 15,000 men, ready to sail to France and to victory at Crecy. A new Hall was built in 1356 and further work was carried out on the south-west range of buildings. Extensive supplies were brought into the castle during the invasion scare of 1360 and in 1369, when Portsmouth was burned by the French, further defensive strengthening took place. Under Sir Robert of Ashton, later Constable of Dover Castle and Warden of the Cinque Ports, Portchester Castle acquired a new tower, now known as Ashton's Tower. This had a suite of private chambers inside fortified walls. As the first structure in England with gun-ports providing all-round protection and defense, this building shows how as early as the 1380's the nature of war-fare had changed.

In 1396, Richard II made peace with France and money became available for renovating old castles with newer comforts. The King married Isabella, daughter of the King of France and the new Palace in miniature that was built at Portchester may be connected to this event. The whole of the western side of the inner bailey courtyard was rebuilt, with large glazed windows and carved stone. A force of around 280 men worked on the new palace for three years, but just as it was nearing completion, the King died.

Portchester Castle was the site of another grand departure in 1415 when Henry V departed for Agincourt and uncovered the 'Southampton plot'. Apart from this event though, the fabric of the castle gradually fell into disrepair as its use was minimal, superceded by the growth of Portsmouth. Henry VIII did visit in 1535 and a new store house for his supplies was built. The new chain of forts around the coast built by Henry, such as Pendennis and Deal  were small, modern and built for the modern guns; Portchester's defenses had become obsolete.

During the Civil War, the castle was used to house dragoons and 4000 horses in 1644, but no action took place here. Repeatedly during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, Portchester was used to house prisoners of war and this role came to the fore during the Napoleonic Wars in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. By 1810, 7000 men were held here, guarded by regiments of local militia. Barrack blocks were built and the Keep was divided up into numerous floors, with even a theatre. By May 1814, all the French prisoners had gone, the barracks were demolished and the castle gradually fell into disrepair.

Now maintained by English Heritage, this site is popular with tourists and locals, with the church still used and the surrounding area a peaceful place to walk or fish. The large open outer bailey area provides  plenty of room for games and families and the changing use and occupation of this ancient site continues. 

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