castle andrew castle artillery fort constructed henry_viii near rice hampshire formed king device programme protect invasion france defended near comprised gun platform protected moat castle decommissioned english civil war largely destroyed coastal erosion history 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 basic 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 defend body water linked important port southampton positioned shore common south village rice located end old ditch area previously occupied period built coast construction took place fortification fully completed henry death castle comprised tall square stone semi circular gun platform protected metre wide moat wooden similar design contemporary fortification survey reported castle heavily armed artillery comprising iron iron iron bases iron falcon iron quarter lighter guns probably placed roof heavy weapons lower remainder external gun platform held bows hand weapons close defence later winchester appointed keeper captain castle paid year perform role garrison included master gunner porter soldiers controlled castle coast garrison decreased slightly comprising captain gunners soldiers castle operational decommissioned parliamentary forces english civil war site heavily affected coastal erosion local shoreline retreating metres year 1990s parts masonry earthworks seen 21st century remains castle surrounding common land protected law scheduled monument
St Andrew's Castle, Hamble