Listed Building record MDO6505 - Rufus Castle, Portland

Please read our guidance about the use of Dorset Historic Environment Record data.

Summary

The site of a castle, captured in 1142 by Robert, Earl of Gloucester and rebuilt in the late 15th century. The remains of the 15th century octagonal tower with gun loops, walls and gateway survive. The approach bridge and entry archway are 19th century in date. The walls to the north and west stand to their full height, but part of the south east wall, which is thinner has broken away.

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

The castle was formerly known as Bow and Arrow castle. The approach bridge and present gateway are 19th century in date and were in place by 1842. By 1997 the wall on the south side of the castle was gone. A stepped plinth at the foot of the walls on the W and foundations at the N suggest an earlier building on the site. Inferences from documents and architecture suggest a date of between 1432-60. <3-4> No change. <6> The gunports consist simply of a hole bored through a single ashlar slab, and are typically 15th century. <7> Listed. <8> The late 15th century Rufus Castle is visible as a ruined structure on aerial photographs of 2007 and 2009 <12 and 13>. This site was digitally plotted during the South west Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

Sources/Archives (17)

<1> SDO150 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3. 252-3.
<2> SWX2035 Article in serial: King D J C. 1947. Bow and Arrow Castle, Portland. Vol 69. 65-67.
<3> SWX2036 Monograph: Renn, D. 1973. Norman castles in Britain. 113.
<4> SWX2136 Scheduling record: Department of the Environment. 21 Sept 1978. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Weymouth and Portland amendment 1978. p6.
<5> SWX2037 Scheduling record: DOE. 1979. Scheduled Monument Notification DOE (IAM) Anc Mons Eng 3.12.79 82.
<6> SDO11900 Unpublished document: Barton, J G. Various. Field Investigators Comments JGB. F1 JGB 30-JUL-80.
<7> SDO19866 Serial: Fortress Study Group. 1980. Fort: the international journal of fortification and military architecture. 5. 8.
<8> SDO16340 Monograph: Cathcart-King, D J. 1983. Castellarium anglicanum: an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. 1. 125.
<9> SDO17396 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 scale map. 1:10000. 1974.
<10> SDO7 Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1891. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club. 12. 124.
<11> SDO47 Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1948. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1947. 69. 65-67.
<12> SDO12705 Aerial Photograph: XX-XXX-2009. Google Earth.
<13> SDO13125 Aerial Photograph: National Monuments Record. 08-AUG-2007. SY 6971/017-026 NMR 24690/14-23.
<14> SDO14738 Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. FL01018.
<15> SDO14738 Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. OS55/F155/3.
<16> SDO14738 Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. OS55/F74/8.
<17> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 451726.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference	Centred SY 69752 71174 (26m by 30m) (3 map features)
Map sheet	SY67SE
Unitary Authority	Dorset