Royal Citadel, Plymouth
N 50° 21.945 W 004° 08.303
30U E 419037 N 5579917
The massive Royal Citadel stands guard over the City of Plymouth and the Plymouth Sound today just as it has done since the 17th century.
Waymark Code: WM3AQF
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/06/2008
Views: 90
The Royal Citadel was one of England's most important defences for over 100 years with its 70 foot high walls. It was built in the 17th century over the earlier Plymouth Fort as a defence against a threatened Dutch invasion.
Work began in March 1665 and proceeded apace under the direction of the Chief Engineer, Sir Bernard de Gomme and the resident Captain Philip Lanyon. It included a small harbour, now the site of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. Here small ships could be berthed to bring arms and provisions to the Citadel under cover of the guns of the lower fort. The foundation stone was laid on July 18th 1666 by Lord Bath. The Citadel is built of local limestone. The main gateway in Hoe Road was designed by Sir Thomas Fitz and there is nothing finer in South West England. At the top of the gateway is the Royal Coat of Arms supported by a lion and a unicorn, each holding a shield displaying the cross of St George. Below that is the date 1670 flanking a tablet bearing the inscription "Carolus secundus dei gratia magnae brittaniae franciae et hiberniae rex".
Over the top of the archway itself is the coat of arms of the Earl of Bath along with the Grenville motto "Futurum invisibile". The whole gateway is built of Portland stone. The gateway was protected by a drawbridge but this was removed in 1888 when the moat was filled to make some attractive gardens. The moat never held water. It has been regularly strengthened over the years, particularly during the 1750s when it was equipped with 113 guns.The Citadel is still in use today by the military.
Visitors will note that the gun emplacements point out over the Town as well as out to sea. It is thought that this was to keep the Town in order as it had supported Parliament during the English Civil War.
Property page on English Heritage website: [Web Link]
I am an English Heritage Member: no
Property Address:
Royal Citadel,
Hoe road,
Plymouth,
Devon
Property maintained by:: English Heritage
|
Visit Instructions:
Please upload at least one photo taken by you of the waymark, and describe your visit. Perhaps write about some feature that appealed to you, or something you learnt.