Scarborough Bulwark

Has been described as a Certain Artillery Fort

There are no visible remains

NameScarborough Bulwark
Alternative Names
Historic CountryYorkshire
Modern AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
1974 AuthorityNorth Yorkshire
Civil ParishScarborough

At the south-east corner of the town, on the shore, there is a bulwark which the buffeting of the sea has thrown into ruins. It was constructed by Richard III ... A freshwater stream flows into the sea past the bulwark on its south-east side. (Chandler 1993 - transcription and modernisation of Leland)

At the south est point of Scarburgh toun by the shore is a bulwark, now yn ruine by the se rage, made by Richard the 3. that lay a while at Scardeburg Castelle, and, beside, began to waul a pece of the toun quadrato saxo._

Ther cummith by south este of the bulwark a rill of fresch water, and so goith ynto the se. (Toulmin-Smith transcription of Leland)

Gatehouse Comments

This is shown on C16 map of Scarborough, as a small round crenellated tower, but seems to have missed attention in most studies of early artillery works (These tend to focus on Henrician works and, therefore, miss out earlier artillery works). A cannon on a flatbed without wheels, next to a small hut, is also shown on the end of the pier and another piece is shown within the castle bailey. The map is crude and doesn't allow for a precise location. Given reference is approximate.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTA044888
Latitude54.2767105102539
Longitude-0.397370010614395
Eastings504400
Northings488000
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Antiquarian

  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England  (Sutton Publishing) p. 547
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1907, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 1 p. 59-60 online copy

Journals

  • Binns, Jack, 1983, 'The Oldest Map of Scarborough' Transactions of Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society Vol. 25

Primary Sources