Henry VIII's Coastal Fortifications

1539-1547

Following his break with Rome, Henry VIII faced the threat of invasion from Catholic France and Spain. Between 1539 and 1547, he built a chain of coastal artillery forts to defend the south coast, and the Isle of Wight received several. Yarmouth Castle, built in 1547, is the best preserved on the island and the last of Henry's coastal forts to be constructed. Other defences were built or strengthened at Sandown, Cowes and East Cowes. The forts were designed to mount heavy cannon to defend the approaches to the Solent and the island's harbours. They represented a new generation of military architecture, designed for gunpowder warfare rather than medieval siege. Yarmouth Castle survives in good condition and is managed by English Heritage.