Raids by the French

Portsmouth was raided by the French at least four times in the 1300s – 1338, 1369, 1377 and 1380. On each occasion the town was sacked and burnt with great loss of life. As a result, in 1395, Portsmouth fitted out a squadron at its own expense to harry the French. These raids also almost certainly prompted the earliest fortifications to be built. The building of the Round Tower, originally known as King Edward’s Tower, was commenced in 1418.

The Round Tower

Few leaving Portsmouth Harbour cannot notice the Round Tower which was the first permanent fortification at the entrance. For a long period it was called Master Ridley's Tower after John Ridley, Page of the King's Long Bows, who was apppointed to be Keeper of the Tower in 1536. Construction of the Tower began in 1418 and it appears building continued until 1426.