By T. R GROVES, Esq., F.C.S., &c., &c. 



|HIS prematurely ruined structure, described by Leland 

 in his well-known itinerary "as a right goodlie 

 and warlyke castle, having one open barbicane," dates 

 from no further back than 1539, the year when Henry the Ylll. 

 compelled the surrender of the larger monasteries, and when 

 consequent on the vigour of his assaults on Popery, he began 

 to fear a coalition of Catholic sovereigns against his kingdom. 



Portland Castle, on the opposite side of the bay, had been 

 built a few years previously, the two being mainly intended to 

 provide protection from foreign cruisers for English ships fre- 

 quenting the "Roads," and prevent the assembling of hostile 

 navies therein with a view to invasion. 



A ground plan of Sandsfoot Castle was published in 1789 by 

 Delamotte, of Weymouth. It appears to be authentic, but from 

 what source he obtained it I am not aware. No good elevation 

 of the castle in perfect state is known to exist, nor is there any 

 adequate description of it in that condition. 



As a ruin it has been often engraved, but the artists have 

 usually shown themselves more desirous of attaining picturesque- 

 ness of effect than accuracy of detail. 



Grose, who wrote during the latter half of the last century, 

 gives, in his "Antiquities of England," the best verbal descrip. 



