( 49i ) 
THE ANCIENT DEFENCES OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT 
BY 
CAPTAIN S. G. HORTON, R.A. 
T HE following notes on the Defences of the Isle of Wight, as they 
existed in 1600, are extracted from an old history of the Island, 
published in Newport, in 1795, a copy of which is in the Officers Mess 
Library, at Golden Hill, and it is thought that they might be interesting 
to those officers who have served in the Western Forts. 
The account of Hurst Castle is taken from a History of Hampshire 
by Warner, published about the same time. 
CARISBROOKE CASTLE. 
The first mention of the present fortress is in the reign of Edward 
III, about 1350, when Sir John de Langford, the Constable of Caris- 
brooke Castle, and two other Knights, were appointed wardens for the 
defence of the Kingdom* In the reign of Richard II. the French effect¬ 
ed a landing on the Island, and the inhabitants flew for refuge and 
security to Carisbrooke, which was defended by Sir Hugh Tyrrel; 
whither the French pursued them, and besieged the Castle. Great 
numbers of the assailants were slain in this siege ; and a party of them, 
in attempting to force their way close to the Castle, with more courage 
than discretion, were cut off by an ambuscade, which had been formed 
to intercept them. 
In 1387, many of the inhabitants of the Island, in consequence of an 
invasion which was then threatened on the coasts of the Kingdom, and 
probably from their own recollection, or the information of their fore¬ 
fathers, of the mischiefs experienced on those occasions, entertained 
serious thoughts of withdrawing from the Island. Continually exposed 
to these depradations, from their defenceless state, and the proximity 
of the opposite shore, preparations were made by many to retire to a 
less turbulent situation. But these intentions were defeated by the 
King’s writ to the Lieutenant of the County, to Hugh Tyrrel, keeper of 
the Castle of Carisbrooke, in the said Island, and to John Griffith, the 
constable of the said Castle ; whereby all persons were commanded to 
remain in the Island, and to prepare themselves to defend it against all 
opposition. 
The King, at his own proper costs and charges, supplied the Castle of 
Carisbrooke with considerable stores and provisions ; amounting to 10 
tuns of wine, and 100 quarters of wheat, the same quantitv of malt, half 
the quantity of beans and pease, and 100 quarters of oats, besides salt, 
coals, wood, and other necessaries for the support of its defenders. 
to. VOL. XXVI, 
