Southampton City Walls
by Terri Waters
Title
Southampton City Walls
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
God's House Tower is located at the southeast corner of the old town walls in Southampton.
It has witnessed many events across its 700-year life, is an extremely important and prominent building in the old town that once defended the nation.
The story begins as a humble gatehouse, built in the late 13th century at a key entry point into the town of Southampton. The original gate was known as Saltmarsh gate as it led onto marshlands just outside of the town.
The gate was located near to God's House Hospital, which had been founded in 1168 by Gervaise of Hampton, later known as Gervaise le Riche, as a refuge for poor travellers, and the gateway became known as God's House gate.
In response to the French Raid of 1338 the town expanded its defensive wall building, expanding the gatehouse by adding a two-story gallery and three-story tower that would create the strategic military coastal position of Gods House Tower.
This was one of the earliest forts built specifically to carry cannon and had eight gun ports and rooftop firing points. This spur enabled the town gunner to protect the sluices that controlled the flow of seawater into the tidal moat used to power the water mill under the tower and control the level of the town's moat.
In 1707 the building was being used as a house of correction until in 1786 it was formally adapted to become the Town Gaol, a role it retained for nearly 100 years having three prisons in one. Debtor's cells were located in the tower, along with both a bridewell and felons prison in the main building.
Uploaded
October 20th, 2015
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