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Portchester Castle. Photo by Matthew Folley. .

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Portchester Castle

Situated at the north end of Portsmouth Harbor In Northern England, Portchester Castle stands tall among the most impressive medieval sites in England. It was originally built by Romans as a fortified naval base.

 It has been termed the best preserved of the Roman Saxon Shore forts. Evolving through history from Roman control to Normans, changing hands from Kings as a royal residence, and being used as a prison for thousands of prisoners of war over the centuries, it is undoubtedly a site that tells many fascinating tales about English history! Here are some top 10 astonishing facts about Portchester Castle.

1. Its establishment dates back to as early as the 3^rd century 

Portchester Castle. Photo by Triposo. .

That’s a long time ago. This medieval fortress is said to have been first built by Romans who used it as a naval base to defend against attacks from the fierce Saxons who were raiding the South Coast of the then Roman Britain (Britannica).

While several reconstructions were made over the centuries, Roman design is still evident.

2. It is believed that Marcus Aurelius Carausius was the first to begin building it

This is indeed the Marcus Aurelius whose stoic philosophy is recorded in the book; Meditations of Marcus Aurelius “. He was a military commander of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, although he later usurped power and declared himself emperor in 286. He was under the instruction of the then Emperor Diocletian.

The fort at Portchester must have been built first as a commanding position for defense and in cases of war.

3. Portchester Castle served as a Royal residence for Kings of England 

Seat within the courtyard at Portchester Castle. Photo by Basher Eyre. .

The Romans retreated from Britain in the 5th century, relinquishing control over the fort. In 904, It came into possession of King Edward the Elder. Kings such as King John, Edward III, Henry V, Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn, and Queen Elizabeth 1 had it serve them as a royal residence during the periods they were in the rule.

The castle was also a preparation and departure point for missions to ,and from France. For instance, King Henry V made preparations for his campaigns in France at the castle. This during the Hundred’ Years’ War between the two countries.

It is rather interesting how what began as a fort and base for military defense evolved into a royal residence upon shifting  control from the Romans to England.

4. King Henry V’s assassination plot was discovered at Portchester Castle

During his stay at the castle in 1415, a plot to depose and kill him was uncovered. This was to be famously referred to as the 鈥漇outhampton Plot.鈥�

Fortunately for him, however, he was able to confront the men behind the conspiracy, capture them and have them executed. Quite the drama at the castle indeed.

5. It was used as a prison during major wars in England鈥檚 history

Portchester Castle, Keep and Inner courtyard. The keep was a strong, fortified part of the tower used for holding prisoners. Photo by Michael Grant.

The first use as a state prison was in 1655, during the second Anglo-Dutch war. Approximately 500 prisoners were held in the castle.

About 2500 prisoners were held in the War of Austrian Succession(1740-1748) and several other thousands during the Napoleonic wars (1793-1815). The castle could manage to hold about 8000 prisoners at a time!

Interestingly, the castle was also used as a prison for significant people. In 1415, Richard, Earl of Cambridge, Sir Thomas Grey and Lord Scrope of  Masham were arrested for conspiracy, at the castle and beheaded.

6. Some of the prisoners set the church in the outer bailey on fire

Yes! In 1655, some of the prisoners captured were held in the church located in the outer bailey of the castle. They set it on fire, almost completely turning it into ruins. It took about 40 years for the church to be reconstructed.

7. The Black Caribbean prisoners were treated differently from European prisoners

At around 1796, about 2500 black Caribbeans were captured at the Caribbean islands and shipped to Portchester. Despite stating that they should be taken and treated as prisoners of war and not slaves, instances of discriminative treatment against them are narrated by history books.

 One of these is that while European prisoners were allowed parole and could live outside the prison in designated areas, black prisoners did not enjoy that privilege. This portrays the unfortunate plight of the black people at Portchester,  which was also extremely cold compared to the summer weather of the Caribbean.

8. French prisoners built a theatre at Portchester Castle

For entertainment, French prisoners put up a theatre on the second floor of the building. Traces of its breathtakingly beautiful d茅cor have survived the passing of time. There are also paintings on the wall allegedly painted by some of the prisoners.

9. Portchester Castle passed out of royal control in the 17th century.

King Charles 1 sold it to Sir William Uverdale in 1632. It then passed through his successors; the Thistlethwaite family through the years. Currently, it is under the management of the English Heritage Trust.

10. Major archaeological excavations have been made at Portchester Castle

Bob Van Arsdell, Barry Cunliffe and Frank Basford discussing Iron Age finds on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database during a visit to the Isle of Wight Archaeological Centre, August 2008. Photo by Portable Antiquities Scheme. .

Most of these were made from 1961 to 1979 under the directorship of professor Barry Cunliffe. These have helped in discovering prehistoric information dating back to the establishment of the castle, especially with the help of buried features underneath it.

Indeed, Portchester Castle is not only an impressive medieval site but also one that reflects the interesting shifts in the history of England. From Romans, Normans, Kings, and prisoners, its existence is adorned with historic marks from each of them,  making it a wholesome experience to travel back in time in appreciation of these facts. It is, without doubt, a worthy tourist attraction to stop by while in Northern England.