1417 first fortifications built at Gosport
Before I came to Gosport, I had never encountered anything like the defences that had been established and built here since the fifteenth century. Of course, I have, we all have (I suspect) experienced things like castles, with or without moats, walled cities like York or St Malo – a fascinating place to walk around – well, they all are really.
Anyhow, back to Gosport. Defences were started in 1417, somewhere around Fort Blockhouse, the entrance to the harbour. I haven’t done much specific research but I suspect that led on to the ramparts that were built around what is now the inner town. There are some remnants, but nothing like what there was.
The main thing though was the construction of the Palmerston forts, a series of large fortifications built in the 19th. Century intended to defend the town against invasion from France the prospect of which was feeding fears.
There are at least six of these forts in Gosport, including one between Gosport and Fareham. Fort Brockhurst in Elson is in very good condition and opens a couple of times a year. Well worth a visit. There’s more to be told here.
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