Old
Portsmouth developed at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour
after the Norman Conquest when it was recognised that Portsmouth
Harbour
was ideally situated for communications and trade with France,
and a small community was established around the Camber. The
area flourished during the twelfth century and Richard I granted the
town a charter in 1194.
In the 14th century simple defences in the form of
earthworks and moats were constructed to protect the town against
attacks from the French during the Hundred Years War. No vestige of
these early works remains and the fortifications were improved,
altered and developed through the following centuries.
In the 15th century the precursor of the
Round
Tower
,for the protection of the harbour entrance. This tower was erected
on a spit of land (known as 'Point') which was outside the town. It
was rebuilt in the time of Queen Elizabeth I and increased in height
in the 19th century.
The SquareTower at the top of
Broad Street
was built in 1494. This served as the residence for the Governor of
Portsmouth but also had provision for guns to be mounted on the
roof. This building was subsequently used for the storage of
gunpowder and, in 1779, was converted for use as a meat store. In
1827, the tower was refaced in stone. However, the town's defences
were still considered inadequate and in 1665 Charles II appointed
Bernard de Gomme, a Dutch engineer, to put in hand a major programme
to improve the fortifications and this work resulted in the defences
achieving the form they held until they became redundant.
Old
Portsmouth,
protected within its strong
walls, and had numerous Taverns, Inns, Brandy and Coffee Shops
catering for
the many thieves, vagabonds and prostitutes who roamed the narrow,
cobbled streets, preying on the many sailors with full pockets. In
later times, Press gangs added to their numbers any man who was too
drunk to escape their clutches and it was home to literally hundreds
of brothels, pubs and beer houses. To day there are no brothels and
just eight pubs remaining and Old
Portsmouth has become a highly
desirable residential area.
It is hoped that this website will provide useful information for
visitors to Old
Portsmouth who wish to enjoy the facilities offered
by the area's pubs.
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