SANDOWN CASTLE

'ALTHOUGH the construction of this maritime fortress dates but from the sixteenth century, and is but an indifferent specimen of castle building, except for purposes of defence, Sandown is attached to a jurisdiction of much higher antiquity, being under the command of a Captain and Lieutenant, who are subordinate to the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

By way of strengthening the natural defence of the coast, Henry VIII built along it a line of castles at Deal, Walmer, and other points, of which Sandown is one. There were formerly two mounds of earth, called Great and Little Bulwark, between Deal and Walmer Castles, and another between Deal and Sandown; each having embrasures for cannon, and forming a line of batteries along that part of the coast which is still supplied with deep water, and remains of these defences exist.

On the sea-shore, about half a mile northward from Deal, is Sandown Castle; which derives its name from the sand downs that extend along this coast from Pepernesse to Deal, a distance of somewhat more than four miles; their general breadth being about a quarter of a mile.

The motive which induced Henry to erect this line of fortresses is thus quaintly narrated by Lambard, in his "Perambulation of Kent": -

"Having shaken off the intollerable yoke of the Popish tyrannie, and espying that the Emperor was offended for the divorce of Queen Katharine, his wife; and that the Frenche King had coupled the dauphine, his sonne, to the Pope's niece, and married his daughter to the King of Scots, so that he might more justly suspect them all, than safely trust any one, Henry determined, by the aide of God, to stand upon his own garde, and defence; and therefore, without sparing any cost, he builded castles, platforms; and blocke-houses, in all needefull places of the realme; and amongst the other, fearing lest the ease and advantage of descending on land in this part should give occasion and hardiness to the enemies to invade him, he erected, neare together three fortifications, whiche might at all times keepe and beate the landing-place; that is to say, Sandowne, Deal, and Walmere."

Sandown consists of an immense round tower in the centre, connected with four lunettes, or semicircular outworks; the whole surrounded by a deep fosse, and having additional defences and batteries towards the sea. The entrance is by a drawbridge and gate on the land side, the upper part of the central tower contains a spacious cistern for water; below is a large vaulted apartment, bomb-proof, for the garrison. Some substantial repairs and alterations were made during our last war with France; and between this castle and Sandwich Haven two additional forts were constructed for the more complete security of this part of the coast.

The Castle of Sandown has been used as a prison-house. Here during the civil wars, the celebrated Colonel John Hutchinson, Governor of Nottingham Castle, and member of the Long Parliament, was confined for eleven months, and died here, Sept. 11, 1664 "the same day of the month and the same day of the week that the wicked soldiers fetched him out of his own rest and quiet condition at home, eleven months before; this being the Lord's-day, about seven o'clock at night, the 11th day of September, 1664, that being the the same day and hour as the 11th day of October, 1663." Colonel Hutchinson had been removed here from the Tower of London, whither he had been committed on suspicion of treasonable practices. At Sandown they show a sedan, in which he was brought in to the fortress; the chair in which he customarily sat is also preserved here; and a portrait of the stanch Parliamentarian hangs in one of the apartments of the Castle.'

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