castle artillery fort constructed henry_viii village hampshire formed king device programme protect invasion france defended near castle included central stone flanking gun platforms garrisoned men decommissioned english civil war ruins 19th century property gradually converted private house extended gothic style complete octagonal towers nursing home high costs maintenance led closure following archaeological survey converted residential flats protected law grade listed building history 16th 17th centuries castle built consequence international tensions england france final years reign king henry viii traditionally crown left coastal defences local lords communities taking modest role building maintaining fortifications france empire remained conflict maritime raids common actual invasion england unlikely modest defences based simple towers existed south west sussex coast impressive works north england general fortifications limited scale henry broke pope order long standing marriage wife catherine catherine aunt took personal insult resulted france empire declaring alliance henry pope encouraging countries attack england invasion england appeared certain response henry issued order called device giving instructions defence realm time invasion construction forts english coastline castle built mouths rivers metres south west remains recently dissolved henry material site reused build castle later winchester charge construction took place henry granted estates pay support fort garrison castle took form central metres deep gun platform design resembled nearby initially garrisoned soldiers gunners porter command captain garrisoned probably active service start english civil war supporters king charles parliament captain parliamentary naval commander seized end year decommissioned fortification castle restored use concerns potential royalist invasion abandoned obsolete restoration charles_ii throne time visited castle ruins 18th 20th centuries inherited castle built tower south east end property following year inspired proposal antiquarian castle description castle time suggested stood midst trees little hill close beach formed striking object seen water popular artists visited castle new tower probably leased castle turned private house supervision architect hunt remained castle window overlooking sea blocked allow construction second storey building leased castle building stone wall property sir bought castle surrounding gardens pond boat house architect john castle approximately creating gothic styled house adding storey new wing death wife remained house death property surrounding grounds sold auction bought castle converted nursing home elderly men passed control continued nursing home proved expensive maintain surrounding land gradually sold finally decided close 21st century limited firm property developers purchased castle converted private residential flats cost million process archaeological survey property protected law scheduled monument grade listed building castle approximately metres metres tall surrounded hectares acres land castle comprises wings original 16th century fort incorporated centre property north wing storeys tall decorated restrained gothic style octagonal turret corner central range storeys tall round corner turrets southern wing storeys height elaborate gothic detailing larger octagonal tower castle features substantial staircase fitted musical organ wood room buildings main castle include converted boat house ice house
Netley Castle