Monument record MWX838 - Studland Castle
Please read our guidance about the use of Dorset Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
A castle is mentioned in 1381, and a battery was built between 1584 and 1586 at Handfast point, and a blockhouse is mentioned in 1732. No trace remains of any of these features.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
The Foreland or Handfast Point (SZ 055825) is a high promontory shown on Ralph Treswell's map 1585-6 (see Hutchins p.580) as partly occupied by Studland Wood, and by an `enclosure' further inland called "Castell Leyes" (shown at circa SZ 047823). Coker in 1732 said of this place, "the land stretcheth forth a short promontory furnished with a blockhouse, for the more grace called Studland Castle". <1>
Mills adds that a "castellum de Studlande, the Castle of Studland" is mentioned in 1381 (PiH Papers in BM). <2>
Handfast (Point) is probably derived from `rock' or `high stronghold' with reference to Studland Castle or an earlier fort here. Battery or bulwark at Handfast Point. Between May 1584 and October 1586 a bulwark or battery was built at Handfast Point. A stone magazine was acquired and a new drawbridge called for. Of the battery, no trace remains. <3>
Listed as a vanished castle by Cathcart King. <4>
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SWX4496 Monograph: Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds). 1861. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 1. Vol 1. 580 Copy of Tresswell's map.
- <1.1> SWX3374 Cartographic materials: Coker J. 1732. Survey of Dorset 1732.
- <2> SWX2586 Monograph: Mills, A D. 1977. English Place-Name Society : the survey of English place-names [county volumes] Dorset. Part 1. 44,46.
- <3> SWX3337 Monograph: Colvin, H M. 1982. History of the Kings Works Volume 4: 1485-1660 (Part 2). 469-470.
- <4> SDO16340 Monograph: Cathcart-King, D J. 1983. Castellarium anglicanum: an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the islands. 1. 129.
- <5> SDO14243 Unpublished document: Papworth M. 1995. Studland, Purbeck, Dorset, Wessex Region.
- <6> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 457522.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
| Grid reference | SZ 05500 82500 (point) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SZ08SE |
| Civil Parish | Studland; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 6 019 254
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SZ 08 SE 2
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 457522
Record last edited
Jan 11 2024 1:43PM