Crown Fortress

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Crown Fortress is a term still sometimes used for any fortress or castle having belonged typically to the British Crown, and therefore under the ownership and responsibility of the state, used for military purposes (as opposed to Royal Castles, which were typically used as palaces.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Historical context

Over the centuries various types of Crown Fortress have emerged. Perhaps the oldest of these are those which were built across England following the Norman Conquest, which are the motte-and-bailey castles. Many of which, although becoming the private property of knights or aristocracy, were begun simply at the behest of the English king to subjugate and control Norman-occupied England, and later on in Wales.

However not all these motte and bailey castles would be handed over to the aristocracy, either because they were favoured as royal residences, or the monarch found it useful to keep some for purely military use. It is unlikely that at this point much of a distinction was made between the two, but such castles where always useful for defence, as well as providing a physical military presence in potentially rebellious areas, where perhaps the ambitions of the aristocracy meant they couldn't be entirely trusted. Not to mention the benefit of a fortified stronghold for the collection of taxes, and in general dispensing justice. These structures, like many motte and bailey Castles, went on to be rebuilt in stone. As time went on and the shires where established, many were chosen as the seats of sheriffs, as a result making the towns or cities around them the county towns, and latterly many came to house the Shire Halls, and county councils. Such examples survive (although not necessarily still in use) at Chester Castle, Exeter, Lancaster Castle, Leicester Castle, Lincoln Castle, Norwich Castle, Shrewsbury Castle, York Castle.

During the turbulent history of medieval England, many aristocratic strongholds were seized in the name of The Crown, following changes in regime or internal disputes that left certain members of the aristocracy out of favour with the Monarch. This often led to the confiscation of properties, including castles, from such aristocrats. Also, much like today, some were confiscated by the "Crown" for non-payment of taxes or duties. As not all castles confiscated were desired for Royal use many were simply designated "Crown Fortress", whether they came to be used as military garrisons or not. Many would go on to be either given away as gifts or rewards, or sold off, rather than left to crumble away, having not been put to use. Some examples of these are: Bolsover Castle, Brancepeth Castle.

During the reign of Henry VIII and afterwards, many new Crown fortresses were commissioned by the king and his adherents, partly because many medieval castles could not cope with the increasing use of cannon in warfare. Also with the long term threats of the French, and later on the Spanish, they were felt to be particularly necessary on the southern coast of England. Examples are Deal Castle, Pendennis Castle, St Mawes Castle, and Walmer Castle.

During the English Civil War, many Crown Fortresses fell prey to the Parliamentarians forces, and due to their strategic value were greatly fought for. As many had been under the control of commanders appointed by The Crown, many naturally supported the King, and their knowledge of the fortresses they commanded made their defence easy and difficult for Parliamentarian forces to seize them. Also often, it did not take much for Royalist forces to retake them, and a lot for the Parliamentarian forces to take them back. As a result Oliver Cromwell (who by then came to command the Parliamentarian forces) came to resent the large cost in forces often necessary to retake these castles. Subsequently, he ordered the demolition of many re-captured castles. Two examples being Bridgnorth Castle, Pontefract Castle.

Following the Glorious Revolution of 1689 and the new threat posed by the Jacobites, numerous fortresses were built around the Scottish coastline, both to help control the Jacobite Highlanders and to help prevent the French from landing troops, supplies or insurgents. One example is Fort William.

During the Napoleonic Wars many small, Martello towers were constructed around the coastline of the British Isles. Some of the last of the Crown fortresses to be built were in the 19th century, such as Coalhouse Fort in the Thames Estuary, built in anticipation of a believed threat posed by the French Navy under Napoleon III. Also latterly such fortresses as Maunsell Sea Fort, located in the Thames Estuary and built in World War II.

[edit] Contemporary context

Today, as fortresses in the traditional sense have become obsolete due to changing tactics in warfare, the term "Crown Fortress" is rarely used, except in describing the use and ownership of such structures. Today many Crown Fortresses survive, even in state hands, although not necessarily as defensive structures. Such as Fort George, Highlands Scotland.

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