Plymouth; The Royal Citadel
Has been described as a Certain Artillery Fort
There are masonry ruins/remnants remains
| Name | Plymouth; The Royal Citadel |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Devonshire |
| Modern Authority | Plymouth; City of |
| 1974 Authority | Devon |
| Civil Parish | Plymouth |
Late C16 artillery fort, superseded by and partially incorporated into a mid C17 bastioned artillery defence, called the Citadel, with associated outworks. The artillery fort was constructed between 1592-1598 to a perceived threat of attack by sea from the Spanish. The fort contained the captain's lodgings, barracks, a storehouse, stables, guardhouse, powderhouse and the medieval Chapel of St Katherine on the Hoe. Parts of the fort have been revealed by partial excavation. The late C16 artillery fort was partially incorporated into the mid C17 Citadel. Although much of the walling around the main area of the earlier fort was demolished as the Citadel was constructed, the lower fort, was retained. The Citadel was constructed between 1665-1675 in response to another perceived threat of war, this time with the Dutch. Designed by Sir Bernard de Gomme, it was constructed as a six bastioned walled fortification. Within the Citadel fortifications, several buildings survive from the original C17 internal layout, or incorporate C17 features. These include the guardhouse, the Great Store and the Governor's and Lieutenant-Governor's House. The outworks of the Citadel include the lower fort, the north ravelin within the ditch, the ditch counterscarp, the covered way with the two place d'armes and the glacis. The Citadel was refurbished during the 1890s-1900s by the architect T Kitsel. During World War II the Citadel housed the Coast Artillery Training Centre. (Derived from PastScape)
The monument includes a late 16th century artillery fort, superseded by and partially incorporated into a mid 17th century bastioned artillery defence, called the Citadel, with associated outworks.
Historical sources provide the context for the construction of the late 16th century artillery fort between 1592-1598 in response to a perceived threat of attack by sea from the Spanish
Although the Armada had been defeated in 1588, fears that Spain would attempt to invade England again led to a strengthening of English defences. The construction of the fort at Plymouth was part of these works. Situated at the east end of the Hoe, it protected the entrance to the important sheltered anchorage of the Cattewater and the harbour in Sutton Pool. Contemporary plans show this fort consisted of two parts: a roughly triangular fort with two bastions pointing to the north and west to defend against landward attack from the Hoe, and the lower fort containing the main armament in ramparts of earth and stone, called bulwarks, along the shore. The stone walls of this fort were about 4m high, and 1.4m thick at the base, accompanied by an outer ditch 6m wide. Guns were mounted on timber staging on earth platforms. The main fort contained the captain's lodgings, barracks, a storehouse, stables, guardhouse, powderhouse and the medieval Chapel of St Katherine on the Hoe, an important landmark for shipping. Parts of this fort have been revealed by partial excavation.
The late 16th century artillery fort was partially incorporated into the mid 17th century Citadel. Although much of the walling around the main area of the earlier fort was demolished as the Citadel was constructed, the lower fort, at the south eastern end of the main 16th century fort was retained. Within the Citadel, the south curtain wall from and including the Cumberland Battery to Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion follows the line of the dividing wall between the 16th century main fort and its lower fort. The Citadel's curtain wall between Prince Edward's Bastion and Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion may also preserve the line of the earlier main fort's east wall. The base of the point of Prince Henry's Demi-Bastion and the sides of Piper's Platform contain some original 16th century stonework and the wall running south east from Piper's Platform towards Fisher's Nose continues the line of the 16th century lower fort wall. Beyond this monument, further walling of the 16th century lower fort is likely to survive along the coastal margin by the blockhouse at Fisher's Nose. (Scheduling Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SX480538 |
| Latitude | 50.3635787963867 |
| Longitude | -4.13682985305786 |
| Eastings | 248010 |
| Northings | 53820 |
