Star Castle, Isles of Scilly

Fortress in St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

49°54′55″N 6°19′16″W / 49.915378°N 6.321056°W / 49.915378; -6.321056Built1593ArchitectRobert AdamsArchitectural style(s)Military architectureGoverning bodyPrivately owned

Listed Building – Grade I

Official nameStar Castle HotelDesignated12 February 1975Reference no.1291756

Listed Building – Grade I

Official nameBastions and Walls of Star CastleDesignated12 February 1975Reference no.1141188

Listed Building – Grade I

Official namePowder Magazine and Blast WallsDesignated14 December 1982Reference no.1141187

Listed Building – Grade I

Official nameOuter Walls and GatewayDesignated14 December 1982Reference no.1291751

Listed Building – Grade II*

Official nameGatehouse CottageDesignated12 February 1975Reference no.1218853

Location of Star Castle in Isles of Scilly

Star Castle is a fortress on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, built in 1593 by Robert Adams, Surveyor of the Royal Works (d.1595) and Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, during the "Spanish invasion scare."

History

The Star Castle was built in 1593 by the Surveyor of the Royal Works and mapmaker Robert Adams, under the direction of Francis Godolphin, Captain of the Scilly Isles, following the Spanish Armada of 1588.^[1] Fearing another Spanish invasion, in May 1593 Queen Elizabeth I ordered the construction of a fort and two sconces as a lookout for any intruder ships.^[2]^[3]

In 1740 Master Gunner Abraham Tovey transformed the Garrison building walls with gun batteries, including Colonel Boscawen's Battery,^[4] in a circular shape following the coast line of The Hoe. In the 18th century it was garrisoned by troops from the Corps of Invalids.

Star Castle is now a hotel.^[5]

Description

The Star Castle is in the shape of an eight-pointed star and features on the flag of the Council of the Isles of Scilly. It is at the centre of a fortification system around the west side of St Mary’s known as the Garrison. The walls of the castle take the shape of an eight-pointed star. It comprises an outer wall around the outcrop of Hew Hill, protecting the town and the castle, with strategically placed gun batteries at regular intervals around the outer wall, allowing covering fire at all angles.

Star Castle is a Grade I listed building.^[6] Three other structures within the fort complex are listed at Grade I, the highest grade, comprising the totality of the Grade I listed buildings on the Isles of Scilly: the bastions and walls to the castle;^[7] the powder magazine,^[8] and the Outer Walls.^[9]

Gallery

Bastions
Name plate on Colonel George Boscawen's Battery

References

^ Colvin, Howard M., ed., History of the King's Works, vol. 3 (1975), pp.94–5, see also vol. 4 (1982) for description.
^ Calendar State Papers Domestic, 1591–1594, London (1867), pp. 346–7, 365–367
^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (1970). Cornwall. The Buildings of England (2nd ed.). Penguin. p. 210.
^ "History of Garrison Walls, St Mary's". English Heritage. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
^ "Star Castle Hotel. – Isles of Scilly, St Marys – 4 Star Accommodation". Star Castle Hotel – Isle of Scilly. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
^ Historic England. "Star Castle Hotel (Grade I) (1291756)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
^ Historic England. "Bastions and Walls of Star Castle (Grade I) (1141188)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
^ Historic England. "Powder Magazine and Blast Walls (Grade I) (1141187)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
^ Historic England. "Outer Walls and Gateway (Grade I) (1291751)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2024.