castle castle known historically originally device fort constructed henry_viii protect harbour threat french attack located comprised stone gun platform garrisoned local town soldiers armed artillery pieces castle remained use original invasion scare passed occupied parliament english civil war end century fallen castle converted private residence despite complaints town subsequent owners extended original form country house landscaping surrounding island create ornamental gardens lakes 19th century saw continued building work castle occupants including entrepreneur colonel erected extensions fire castle restored major wealthy led lavish lifestyle start 20th century house collection antique musical instruments purchased allowed property fall disrepair time death poor condition purchased leased restored years 21st century partnership corporate hotel employees staff history 16th century castle built consequence international tensions england france final years reign king henry viii traditionally crown left coastal defences local lords communities taking small 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 resulted france empire declaring alliance henry pope encouraging countries attack england henry responded ordering instruction called device construction fortifications vulnerable parts coast immediate threat passed resurfaced france threatening invasion channel backed allies scotland henry issued device improve country defences particularly south coast castle built south east corner protect entrance busy harbour island belonged crown having confiscated conservative design storey square reported feet able support guns roof sub divided rooms originally intended storeys height achieved surrounded gun platform moat sides foot long south west allow access construction paid combination crown local town took responsibility maintaining early years elizabeth reign normal garrison described comprising men equipped artillery pieces additional work gun platform costing carried work carried develop castle defences cost castle needed regular investment piles driven probably combat coastal erosion town petitioned crown help repairs provision new cannons petition similar help resulting repairs years later costing requiring tonnes long tons short tons stone work followed including building additional foot high wall castle elizabeth granted castles life sir making admiral argued town claiming right search inspect ships going rights revenues local ferry service lost legal case rights gift refused pull inspection arguing valid pass leave castle fired vessel killing crew castle captain tried conflicted ultimately pardoned rest island castle leased landowners years 17th 18th centuries castle garrisoned 17th century civil war supporters charles parliament castle held parliament control governor castle parliament ordered pieces artillery muskets sent castle garrison men wealthy merchant sir bought surrounding island probably live castle fell disrepair end century town refused garrison decaying defences amateur architect bought island heirs set converting castle private residence amid complaints authorities town took matter attorney general argued bought rights castle island castle national fortification originally built henry_viii owned argued building originally castle lodging house built henry crown particular rights previous owners island simply allowed town government place artillery matter eventually dropped demolished external fortifications created great hall planted trees rare plants island castle sold sir cousin sir extended castle 16th century core form styled storey tower new wings stretching away sides built walled courtyard hot houses castle island lakes large number fir trees cost son castle primary home living result involvement napoleonic wars 19th 21st centuries son called charles inherited property sold sir invested significantly castle visited arriving salute castle guns diplomat sir acquired castle retirement committed suicide castle having termed state temporary insanity following disease heart lungs retired indian amy officer colonel bought island hoping turn profitable pottery works carried restoration work castle built new styled range south east sides castle constructed gatehouse entrance courtyard styled family pier sea castle commercial venture failure fled creditors spain period ownership continued pottery scheme property eventually politician lawyer furnished castle extensive collection sculpture closed pottery works gave island family home son william paying castle extensively renovated william wife moved died extensive debts forcing william sell castle island major castle caught fire january interiors blaze rebuilt property services architect complex aspects castle design wife fell ill decided sell island maintained lavish lifestyle castle holding grand house parties summer months complete servants time musical band assembling rare collection historical musical instruments europe asia africa castle charles died wife florence stayed florence death castle sold sir promptly decided auction remaining contents intent property sale included collection instruments paintings book library produced castle demolished planned instead purchased later year decided live nearby house castle allowing island return nature castle fall disrepair time death roof partially collapsed tree growing centre building facing large death duties grandson island sale agreeing donate state lieu taxes took ownership castle island considered castle little antiquity architectural interest leased castle trust use corporate hotel employees gradually restoring buildings stages remain current tenants 19th century interior features survive including wood ornamental ceilings carved stone venice castle cannons probably dating 17th early 18th century castle protected law grade listed building
Brownsea Castle