forced to work on the Greenway estate, owned at the time by Drake’s half brother, Humphrey Gilbert. The only time the castle has been occupied was dur- ing the civil war in 1643 by Royalists, led by Prince Maurice, the nephew of King Charles I. The town’s defence was brave and delayed the Royalists just long enough to allow Plymouth to prepare its defences. Maurice’s forces never managed to break Plym-
outh’s defences – and stayed outside resolutely for nearly two years – repeatedly beaten back by the defenders.
Thanks to this delay, the city withheld the long siege that followed – a delay that helped turn the tide of the war in favour of the Parliamentarians.
The only time the castle has been occupied was during the civil war in 1643 by Royalists, led by King Charles’ nephew Prince Maurice
During this battle the castle fell, mainly due to the fort the Royalists built on Gallants Bower behind it. Its defences faced the sea – quite under- standably, but it was almost powerless to defend a land attack.
When the Roundheads retook Dartmouth, three years later, the injured governor took
refuge in the Castle before surrendering. The castle was to have more facelifts – in 1861 it was rebuilt to give better defence against the pos- sibility of invading forces from France and then
again in time for the Second World War – when a new 4.7inch gun was installed in the 1861 battery. Dartmouth was a base for many op- erations in the Second World War, from the free French to secret raids on the French coast and Channel Islands and, of course, housed more than 400 allied boats before the D - Day landings. Dartmouth Castle has been adapted and changed to suit the needs of the time. It has been at the fore- front of weapons technology and left to fall almost to ruins – but it defines the entrance to the Dart and is an indelible part of the views of Dartmouth still. Thanks to the stewardship of English Heritage, it is now a place where children and adults learn about the Dartmouth’s and Britain’s great naval tradition. •
It has been at the forefront of weapons
technology and left to fall almost to ruins
If you’ve enjoyed this article, you can watch our exclusive accompanying video on our new website
www.bythedart.tv. Alternatively, if you have a smartphone and the appropriate app, go straight to the video by clicking on the opposite QR code.
Tea with a view... Visit us for breakfast, lunch and our scrumptious cream teas
Find us by following the signs to Dartmouth Castle We are licensed
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