Essex Castle
Essex Castle | ||
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Essex Castle ruin circa 1840 |
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Creation time : | 1540s | |
Castle type : | Niederungsburg | |
Conservation status: | ruin | |
Standing position : | English royal family | |
Construction: | Ashlar | |
Place: | Saint Anne | |
Geographical location | 49 ° 43 '3 " N , 2 ° 10' 32.2" W | |
Height: | 59 m ASLTemplate: height / unknown reference | |
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Essex Castle is a ruined castle in the northeast part of the Channel Island of Alderney .
history
At the end of the reign of King Henry VIII of England , in 1546, work began on building a fortress on what would later be called Essex Castle. 200 men were employed in the construction and provided accommodation for a garrison of 200 soldiers. The capture of the island of Sark by the French in 1549 ensured that the work was continued and more money was available. But when Queen Maria I came to the throne in 1554, work on the fortress was stopped and the defenses torn down.
The building was converted into a private home for John Chamberlayne , Lord of Alderney 1584–1591. There was a time when the island from pirates was attacked or was used by pirates because it was unprotected.
Today only the north and west boundary walls of Essex Castle remain.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b James Marr: Bailiwick Bastions . Guernsey Press. ISBN 0-902550-11-X .
- ^ Colin Partridge: The Fortifications of Alderney . Alderney Publishers. ISBN 0-9517156-0-7 . Pp. 8-11.