Royal Citadel, Plymouth
N 50° 21.945 W 004° 08.303
30U E 419037 N 5579917
Quick Description: 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.
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 3/6/2008 2:38:57 PM
Waymark Code: WM3AQF
Views: 50
Long Description:
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.
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