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HISTOR
Y History Around Us
Portchester Castle
Site Study

Knowledge Organiser
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUILDING OF PORTCESTER CASTLE
ROMAN FORT AND OUTER BAILEY
The Roman fort, probably built between AD 285 and 290, was laid out symmetrically. Around its perimeter
were 20 regularly spaced D-shaped towers, of which 16 remain. The Roman walls stand to a height of 6.1
metres, though the upper parts are medieval.
The original building technique, using flint and courses of flat limestone slabs, or double courses of brick, is
still clear, especially along the south wall. Set midway along each wall was a gate, the two main ones to the
east and west (the Watergate and Landgate respectively, both substantially rebuilt in the 14th century). The
two secondary postern gates were to the north and south.
FORT INTERIOR
Roman remains inside the fort have been largely destroyed by ploughing and later occupation, but several
Saxon buildings have been excavated.[1] The parish church of St Mary (not in the care of English Heritage),
in the south-east corner, is the only surviving building of a short-lived Augustinian monastery founded inside
the fort in about 1128.
INNER BAILEY
The inner bailey lies in the north-west corner of the Roman fort and is surrounded by an L-shaped ditch and
curtain wall. Around this courtyard, probably created in the late 11th century, are the shells of several grand
medieval ranges.
To the north are the foundations of a 12th-century building that served in the late Middle Ages as the
constable’s residence. Ashton’s Tower, at the east end, was begun by a constable of that name who served
here between 1376 and 1381. The ruined south range was completely remodelled in the early 17th century by
the last constable, Sir Thomas Cornwallis.
The remains of the royal apartments in the inner bailey, built by Richard II in the 1390s, with the great hall
range to the left and the great chamber range to the right
RICHARD II’S PALACE
Around the west and south sides of the inner bailey are the remains of a grand series of residential apartments
built by Richard II between 1396 and 1399. The south range was the public and service wing, which
contained the great hall, kitchens and entrance porch, the last still featuring its brackets for lamps. To the
west were the inner royal apartments, including the king’s great chamber.
GREAT TOWER
The square great tower stands more than 30 metres high, and in the 12th century contained some of the most
important apartments in the castle. It was built in three stages. As it was first completed in the 1130s, it rose
to a point roughly level with the tops of the exterior buttresses. This structure was almost doubled in height
probably within 20 years. Finally, the crown of the building was raised in the 1320s.
The great tower was later altered extensively, especially during the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815), when
extra floors were inserted to lodge thousands of prisoners. During that time one of the basement rooms was
converted into a theatre by French prisoners of war. The spiral stair in the south-west angle provided the only
original access between floors. Faintly visible on the second-floor walls are the remains of an elaborate
painted decorative scheme for a later 19th-century theatre. [2]
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 EVIDENCE OF THE SITE WHEN IT WAS FIRST CREATED
BY THE ROMANS
Extensive archaeological investigations began in the 1960s in a series of excavations led by
Barry Cunliffe. These provided much information about the Roman and Saxon periods in
particular and unearthed more than 70,000 items dating from the late 3rd century AD to the
19th century

A Iron Horseshoe
B Roman armour
C Roman spear
head
D Rivet spur
E Pot
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 Roman Britain 3rd - 4h Century, (285AD – 350AD)
(National)

When was it created?

It is understood by historians that the original Roman Fort at Portchester Castle
was built by Roman Marcus Aurelius Carausius between 285AD and 290AD.
Why was it created?
• Barbarian attacks along the coasts of Britain
were a problem for the Roman Empire
during the third century and to combat
them numerous forts were constructed on
the south and east cost of Britain.
• These forts have many features in common,
in particular projecting D-shaped towers
(bastions). It was originally a square
enclosure with each corner having a
How was the fort used? bastion. In the centre of the west wall,
• The fort initially acted as a naval base there is a main gate, and on the east side
again in the centre is a smaller water gate.
from which ships could intercept attacks
by pirates. This means that there would
have been a military presence at the fort. Similar to:
• Safe harbor for ships and for soldiers Pevensey - D-shaped
wall towers. Roman
• However, excavations in the 1960s reveal coins found wall
burials of children from 300AD onwards foundations.
which suggests that mixed community Dover= Romans built a
lighthouse – to guide
lived at the site. ships into the harbour
Burgh – similar D shaped
towers

What evidence do we have of the

site’s use?
• Coins minted by Carausius have
been discovered at Portchester
show us that the site was created
between 285AD and 290AD.
• Roman leather shoes have been
excavated
• Layers of Roman flint and tile in the
fort walls.
• Burials of children from 300AD
show a civilian population.

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 The Roman Legions in Britain built Portchester
Castle on the South Coast of Britain in the 3 rd
century to protect southern Britain from Germanic
raiders. Portchester Castle is located at the top of a
natural harbour where Portsmouth was built later.

The Romans were expert builders and used a

mixture of brick and stone to build – but most
importantly, concrete which helped their buildings
last for thousands of years. It was primarily a
military garrison.

Saxons 600-1000 AD King Edward the Elder - Burgh.

(Local)
The Romans had invaded England and ruled over England for 400
years but in 410, the Romans left England because their homes in
Italy were being attacked by fierce tribes and every soldier was
needed back in Rome. In the 6th century when the Angles and
Saxons attacked and conquered the land we call England from the
natives of Britain.

Portchester became the residence of King EDWARD THE ELDER of

Wessex. The Anglo-Saxons used Portchester Castle from the 600s-
1066 but they were no master builders. They used the remnants of
the Roman stone work and built there own buildings out of wood.
Portchester was used as a burgh, a defensive town settlements to
protect them from Viking raiders.

Very few other changes were made at Portchester at this time, the
main ones were the construction of a stone tower and the
rebuilding of the Watergate. It gave protection but it was also a
place for people to live in peace.
Physical remains (right) Anglo Saxon Coin and spouted jug

After William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings and become
the King of the English he marked Portchester as a site to develop a
strong fortress. The Normans turned Portchester into a castle

By the late 1100s, Portchester had a stone keep built. A strong

central tower. It also gained a bailey – an enclosed area for
protection. The Normans were strong builders and built their castles
out of stone – although they originally made them out of wood for
speed at first.

These castles were incredibly important for helping the new Norman
rulers control England. They enabled a small amount of people to rule
over an English population of c.2 million people.
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 Norman Conquest, 11th – 12th Century (1066 – 1153)
Granted to William Maudit, made many adaptations – key turning point - Inner
bailey, gatehouse,
keep and Augustinian Priory (Local and National)

It was likely that, by 1100, the Inner Bailey had been constructed. Another
very important change that was made at this time was the construction of
the keep. These changes would have made the castle a lot easier to defend
and the keep with inner bailey would have provided good protection for
any ‘visitors’ as the inner bailey walls would have created another obstacle
for attackers and the keep would be strong.
Most of the changes the Normans made were for defensive reasons. The
reason he was protecting the castle was because he was under orders
from the king. He and his men thickened the bailey walls making it harder
for soldiers to attack. We also know from this that Maudit’s son took over
when he died, he gave the fort more height. Because the keep was higher
people could look out a long way to see any enemies’ incoming and it was
also easier to fire weapons at; with the enemies struggling to find places
that were out of sight, the defence at Portchester during this time period
was strong.
KEEP: At ground level, was a prison and a chapel. First floor had a suite of
rooms, place to eat, lodgings of servants and the private chamber of the
Lord and his family. There is still evidence today of the fireplace and
latrine (in the corner)

Henry II 1154 (National - war with France)

When Henry II came to the throne in 1154 he took over the castle as a great royal
strong hold, a role in which it continued throughout the high Middle Ages. This
signalled a change towards the castle being used as an embarkation point for
soldiers headed towards the continent to protect the king’s French lands. It was
also used as a safe haven for shipping the treasury to France and as a prison for
important captives.

King John 1200-1215 (Local)

John used Portchester as a base for his hunting and he

brought his hounds to hunt in the Forest of Bere. He wanted to
have better accommodation so added a new chamber and
latrine (public toilet) was added to the base of the keep. It was
like a second home for John, but Portchester was neglected at
this time. Physical Features: Fore building to the Keep,
portcullises to the gateways and repairs to old walls and halls
were completed. Latrine and King’s lodgings
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 1337 – 1453 100 Years War (National)

By the 14th century, Portchester had had lots of money spent on it. With fears of a French
invasion, Portchester was made more powerful.
The Hundred Years' War was a series of armed conflicts between the kingdoms of England and
France during the Late Middle Ages over lands n France.

Edward II - changes would have all been made for comfort and better living conditions. Edward II
(1320 and 1326) halls, chambers, walls and gates were repaired to the cost of £1100
Edward III-
In 1360, the castle was, again, garrisoned with 15,000 troops. This happened again in 1369 when
the French burned Portsmouth, making the threat of an invasion more imminent.
Keep was re-leaded, and the gatehouse was extended. Heightened the keep. a wall was built at
the Watergate. Rebuilding of: the south-western hall as a two-storey building. The gates and
walls were repaired, Watergate was extended and a new portcullis made for it.

Richard II’s Palace 1396-1400 (Local)

Wanted a local base for important noblemen to come

to visit the King and a home for his queen, Isabella
Physical Features:
 Palace: Porch, lamps, Kitchen/pantry/buttery
 Great Hall – tapestries, coats of arms, carved arches,
large windows with heraldic beasts. Fireplace, large
staircase
 King’s private chamber, Chapel and Exchequer.
 Hierarchy of guests at the top table most important,
served first and had food cut for them. Entertained by
a minstrel and jester.
 It reveals the importance for Kings to show wealth
and authority to subjects and to win loyal followers.

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 Portchester wasn’t used much as a Napoleonic Wars 17th - 19th centuries (National)
defensive fortification in the
centuries following the 1400s.

Forts were built closer to the sea

under the reign of Henry VIII and
Portchester declined in importance.

From the 17th to 19th century,

Portchester Castle was used as a
military prison for prisoners of war
captured by the British in their wars
with European countries.

Portchester was not built on or

developed. By the late 1800s it was
starting to ruin.
During these wars, Portchester housed Caribbean,
French, Spanish, and some Polish prisoners. Inner
bailey/keep was used to hold the prisoners.
However, in 1745, this became too crowded and an
‘airing yard’ was constructed in the outer bailey.
Outside the gatehouse of the inner bailey was the
mess room and guardhouse, and within the inner
bailey were a well and pump.
In the keep today there are remains of the painted
walls for the theatre and the hammock hooks.
Also, Graffiti from French prisoners . You can see
the additional floors that were put in for the
hammocks, beams still remain
Archaeological finds - Objects – buttons, dice,
needles, lace making, dominoes, and religious
objects crafted from bone.

Life for the prisoners

 Poor treatment of prisoners, crowded, dirty, cold.

 Wore a yellow uniform(easy to spot if escaped)
of trousers, a shirt, cardigan, jacket and clogs
 Officers were paid a shilling a day and could leave
with a guard so had more privileges
 A French prisoner married a local women in 1760
 Complaints about overcrowding in 1742 led to
the building of an airing yard
 In 1747 there were 2,500 prisoners.
 Theatre/plays show a kinder attitude trying to
make it more comfortable. A 12 –piece orchestra
accompanied one play.
 Prisoners practiced crafts, such as lace making,
religious objects, combs and dominoes.
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 Prisoners sold these on the main road through
the fort
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
EVIDENCE
Napoleonic Wars (Prison)

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 KEY DEVELOPMENTS FOR DEFENCE AND RESIDENCE
In the 13th century the gatehouse was extended forwards and was further
protected by two small turrets, or roundels. The remains of these and their
entrances can still be seen from inside the gatehouse. The drawbridge rested
on a stone pier in the moat. It may have been pivoted, with the lower half By the 17th century the
descending into the pit below it. The holes for its chains can be seen. The drawbridge had been brought
portcullis slot is also still visible. Much of this phase was then rebuilt in the forward again, with a new stone
14th century. pier built in the moat. Side walls
gave added protection, and a
The Gate small entrance allowed access to
Norman gate . It had a foot visitors when the bridge was
room and an attic over the house raised.
entrance. On the first floor
an arrow loop covered the By the end of the 14th century
bank of the moat in each the walls of the gatehouse were
direction. These can still be brought forward again to protect
seen, from outside and the drawbridge. An open wall
inside the Norman walk overlooked the entrance
gatehouse. The drawbridge passage. The portcullis was
could be withdrawn from brought forward
inside the gate.

Keep was first

built by the
Normans around
1120. It had two
main storeys and In the Early 14th
was the height of Century the top
the Roman walls storey was rebuilt
At ground level, during the 100
was a prison and a years war. This
chapel. First floor meant that
had a suite of watchmen were
rooms, place to able to see further
eat, lodgings of
servants and the
private chamber of
the Lord and his
family. There is
still evidence
today of the In the late 12th Century two extra storeys were added and a
fireplace and staircase for castle guards and storage
latrine (in the
corner)

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 EVIDENCE FROM THE SITE
Romans
TODAY
 16 Bastions
 Land and water Gate
 Outer wall

Normans
 Inner bailey
 Keep (fireplace, latrine)
 Gatehouse
 Ditch
 Latrine outlets from Priory

14th Century 100 years war

 Extended Gatehouse
 Heightened Keep
 Portcullis

Early Tudors
 Armoury store

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 EVIDENCE FROM THE SITE

TODAY
Richard’s Palace
Porch with two lanterns
 Fireplaces in Chamber and
Great Hall
 Large windows of the
Great hall and Great
chamber
 Doorways eg to Chamber
 Lines of the roofs/floors
 Servant entrances
 Richly carved arches of
the Great Hall

Prison

 Theatre paintings on walls

 Graffiti from prisoners
 Beams showing extra flooring for
Hammocks
 Hammock hooks


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INTERPRETATIONS OF THE
CASTLE

Romans Anglo Saxons

Richard II’s Palace

Prison Life

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