During the years of the English Civil War, buildings all across the country were heavily fortified, and many of the ruined castles that we see across the English landscape were destroyed as a result of this catastrophic conflict.
In 2001 and 2021 the University of Bristol excavated at Royal Fort House & Gardens, uncovering five bastions – making this site the strongest Royalist defence in Bristol, and the South West Royalist HQ! This is the next key period of anarchy that SWARP encounters as the English Civil War (1642-1651) is truly a period of civil unrest, rebellion and all out war. These 19 years were triggered by the unpopularity of Charles I’s regime and three wars ensued between the supporters of Charles I, and those who were loyal to Parliament, where up to 200,000 people lost their lives. During these years of Civil War, what we see today as the historic environment changed drastically. Buildings all across the country were heavily fortified, be them castles or not, and many of the ruined castles that we see across the English landscape today were destroyed as a result of this catastrophic conflict.
As we edge closer to the spring and summer months, Bristol students and locals will start to fill the lush green lawns of Royal Fort Gardens, bathing in the sun or sitting in the shade of the magnificent house. But if we throw our minds back to the 17th century, what would we see? While the house that stands today was built in the 18th century, it was preceded by five bastions designed by Dutch military engineer, Sir Bernard de Gomme. These bastions were one of the very few sites that were constructed solely for defensive purposes during this time. They acted as the western headquarters of the Royalist army and were said to have been the strongest defenses in Bristol. Evidence of this defensive site were excavated by the University of Bristol in 2001, 2009 and in 2021. SWARP will continue to research and process everything that was found during these excavations, and begin to bring together these tales of anarchy throughout history in the South West!