Discount Hotels Portsmouth
Historical interest: Portsmouth
    
The city of Portsmouth started in bout 1180 when a shipping merchant called
Jean De Gisors founded a little town in southwest corner of Portsea Island.
In 1185 a church was built which today is Portsmouth Cathedral.
By the early 13th century Portsmouth had grown into one of the most important
ports on the southern coast and was principally concerned with trading wool,
grain, wine, wood, wax and iron.
The French burned Portsmouth in 1338, 1369, 1377 and 1380. Portsmouth was not
fortified till after the last attack in 1380. About 1418 a tower was erected
at the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour called the Round Tower. Later, in 1522
a giant chain was stretched across the mouth of the harbour with a winch by
the Round Tower. In 1494 Henry VII strengthened the town's fortifications by
building the square tower. Henry also changed the destiny of Portsmouth when
he built a dockyard in 1495, and from then on Portsmouth became a naval port.
In 1544 Henry VIII built Southsea Castle east of the town, overlooking the sea,
and the original wooden walls were replaced by stone walls in stages between
1568 and 1588.
In 1642 came civil war between king and Parliament. The Navy sided with Parliament
but the military governor of the town, Colonel Goring supported the king. Portsmouth
was blockaded by sea and Parliament sent men to besiege Portsmouth by land.
Southsea castle was taken after only token resistance, and its guns were then
used to fire at the town of Portsmouth. Besieged by land and sea and with no
support in the town Goring realized the situation was hopeless and surrendered.
From 1667 to 1685 the fortifications around Portsmouth were rebuilt. New walls
were built with many bastions (triangular towers). Two moats were dug outside
the walls, separated by a strip of land. Afterwards Portsmouth was one of the
most heavily fortified towns in Europe.
Between 1862 and 1868 a chain of forts was built along Portsdown Hill which
overlooks the town
During World War II 930 people were killed and the city devastated by bombing.
Today Portsmouth's naval status is somewhat diminished in peaceful times but
it serves as a tourist destination and has a busy ferry port.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Innlodge | | Tulip Inn Portsmouth | | Travelodge Portsmouth | | Portsmouth Marriott Hotel | | Hilton Portsmouth | | Holiday Inn Portsmouth | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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