Fort Leicester
| Fort Leicester | ||
|---|---|---|
| Creation time : | Late 16th century | |
| Castle type : | Coastal fort | |
| Conservation status: | restored | |
| Construction: | Ashlar | |
| Place: | Trinity | |
| Geographical location | 49 ° 14 '25.2 " N , 2 ° 4' 53.6" W | |
| Height: | 12 m ASLTemplate: height / unknown reference | |
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Fort Leicester is a coastal fort near the village of Trinity above Bouley Bay on the north coast of the Channel Island of Jersey . It was built at the end of the 16th century, almost 50 years after the French attacked the island, as a battery to protect against a French invasion. It was named after Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester , a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
The battery was initially only equipped with a single cannon. About 50 years after its construction, it received a gun platform and, at the instigation of Lieutenant Govenor , several guns. At the same time, the battery was declared a fort, which was occupied by a garrison of 30 militia men.
In 1836 it was recognized that this defense facility was far too cumbersome and ineffective for the fast steamers that were now available, and the garrison was withdrawn.
During World War II , Fort Leicester was equipped with a searchlight by the Germans who had occupied the Channel Islands . Today it is in private hands and serves as a holiday home for tourists.