More information : SZ 3180 8974: Hurst Castle (NR) (1)
A major work of coastal fortification, Hurst Castle was begun in 1541 and finished in 1544. It comprises a central twelve sided tower surrounded by a curtain wall on which are three semi circular bastions. The castle originally had a total of 24 gun ports at ground and moat level. It is probable that some more gun positions were made in the roof of the central tower and the bastions. During the civil war the castle was occupied by parliamentary forces. In 1648 Charles I was held prisoner in the castle. Repairs were made to the castle between 1673 and 1675.
The tower was rebuilt around 1805 as part of the improvement of coastal defences during the Napoleonic wars. At some point in the early 19th century the moat was backfilled and a Caponier built to defend the dry ditch that was left. Considerable alterations were carried out in the late 19th century. In 1873 the space between the tower, curtain wall and bastions was filled with earth and concrete. At the same time a new east wing was built and a new entrance to the castle was driven through the north east bastion. Around 1889 the magazine roof was reinforced with more concrete and the tower roof was adapted for modern gun mountings. The staircases and rooms within the tower were also rebuilt. The castle was retained by the War Office until 1933 and then handed over to the Ministry Of Works. During the Second World War it was reoccupied by the army. (2)
Hurst Castle is in good condition and open to the public. (3)
Detailed information on the castle can be found in this source. This source covers the establishment of lighthouses at Hurst, including the two lighthouses which were built in the west wing of the castle. The earlier one was built into the rear wall in 1865 and was superseded by the adjacent iron lighthouse in 1911. These, together with the High Light, the free standing lighthouse built on the end of the spit between 1865 and 1867, represent surviving elements of a history of navigation lighting at Hurst which dates from 1786. (4)
Please refer to these sources for additional references. (5-7)
Listed by Cathcart King. (8)
A detailed description of the castle's history from 1540-1660 can be found in this source. (9)
Please refer to this source for and additional reference. (10)
Wall Painting located in the west wing battery, which had been designated a theatre by the soldiers stationed there during the Second World War. The wall painting appears to serve as a stage backdrop and depicts a kneeling male figure, hat held to his chest, who addresses a female figure in a dress which would appear to be of the Stuart period. Perhaps a reference to when Charles I was imprisoned at Hurst. The painting uses limited blocks colour and is simply executed; perhaps a stencil. It is likely the design was copied from a contemporary source such as a magazine. (11)
An advanced castle design with various firing levels. It was originally a twelve-sided tower with geometric curtain wall and three semi-circular bastions, surrounded by a moat crossed by a bridge. There are three building levels: basement, ground floor and first floor, which was at the same level as the parapet of two of the three bastions. The third bastion had a higher level. The castle had six tiers with embrasures or gun-ports, six flankers at the level of the moat and18 casements on the ground level. There were 11 embrasures in the curtain wall parapet, ten in the two lower bastions and six in the third taller bastion. The keep had eight gun-ports at the level of the parapets of two of the three bastions and twelve embrasures on the roof. (12)
One of the most advanced Henrician artillery forts built. It was also used as a prison for important 17th century captives and was later reinforced in the 19th and 20th centuries. (13)
Conservation statement for Hurst Castle. (14)
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