Southampton Arcades
by Terri Waters
Title
Southampton Arcades
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The sloping sills of Southampton City Arcades were designed to bounce boiling liquid or rocks on to the enemy boats below in the days when the sea lapped at the footings of the walls.
Following the French Raid of 1338 the strengthening of the town's defence system was ordered by King Edward III. The town was to be fully enclosed by stone walls, especially along the western quays, where wealthy merchants had built their houses. Due to a shortage of suitable stones, a compromise was found, which meant the integration of the merchants houses into the town wall.
Of course, the merchants were unwilling to lose their sea front warehouses, but by 1380 the doors and windows in the front of the houses were blocked up with stone or converted into arrow slits and gun ports, and they became part of the town's defensive wall.
The spire of St Michael's church can be seen peeping over the wall.
Uploaded
September 26th, 2015
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