A brief history of Fort Regent
A brief history of
Fort Regent
A 19th century photograph of the Fort
The origin of this history is not known
The fort's main features are substantial curtain walls, ditches, a glacis, redoubts, bastions, and redans (or demi-bastions). There was a parade ground in the centre.
Middle Ages and 16th century
During the Middle Ages the Town Hill, and nearby Petit Mont de la Ville were used as common land. The Chapel of Notre Dame des Pas was situated at the foot of the hill during this period, but was demolished by the Board of Ordnance in 1814.
In 1550 Edward VI ordered the town to be relocated on to the hill, because it would be easier to defend in that position. However, the town was never moved.
In 1591 an intention to fortify the hill arose in the form of consent, from the Procureurs of the Vingtaine de la Ville, to acquire the common land from the people, with their consent, so that fortifications could be constructed. The document referred to letters from Elizabeth I promising to fortify the top of the hill to provide defence for the town. There is no evidence of any work being carried out during the 16th century.
17th century
In October 1651, during the English Civil War, the Parliamentarian Colonel James Heane, besieged Elizabeth Castle by firing mortars on high ground between Town Hill and South Hill. This bombardment forced the eventual surrender of Sir George Carteret, at Elizabeth Castle, in December 1651.
18th century
An illustration by J Heath, dated 1757, shows the first signs of fortification on the Town Hill, in form of lines; possibly earthworks rather than stone walls. A map based on a survey carried out in 1787, supports this possibility.
A later map produced by James Stead in 1799 indicates that the main defences at this time, were located on South Hill, rather than the Town Hill.
19th century
The construction of the fort began on 7 November 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars, with the laying of a foundation stone by General George Don , the Lieut-Governor. The fort was built using local workers and men from the Royal Engineers, with an average of 800 men working at any given time. This enabled the substantial amount of work to be completed by 1814.
It was given the name Fort Regent in honour of the Prince Regent.
The design of the fort is credited to Lieut-General John Humfrey, and it is thought that Lieut-Colonel John Evelegh also worked on the final plans.
Western flank and rampart
Along the top of the cliffs on the west side, between the West Bastion and Northwest Redan, is a 5.5 metre (18 feet) thick curtain wall that provided protection from attacks on that side. Quarrying also steepened the cliffs.
East rampart
A curtain wall, similar to the one on the west, provides protection to bombardment from the east. The East Bastion and south redans are positioned behind this wall. The height of this rampart allows for a view to the south-east coast of Jersey, including a view of Icho Tower.
Bastions, redans, ditches and glacis
There are two bastions at the fort, one facing west and the other facing east, and four redans, two to the south, and two at the north end. Cannons placed in these areas would have been able to target forces attacking Fort Regent from any direction.
The fort has one 210 meter (689 feet) long glacis at the south end, which is a flat sloping open area of grass, known as the Glacis Field. The only road and foot access to the fort is in this area, all other sides are very steep or vertical cliffs.
The East Ditch is a ditch with a masonry faced counterscarp and scarp, and there is a further outer ditch in the form of a large cutting. The Jersey Eastern Railway enlarged the cutting in 1807 to use it as a train station.
Cannons
There are positions, and embrasures, for 100 cannons within the fortress. However, a report dated 8 March 1810 counts only 55 cannons and six mortars.
Water well
There was no existing on the hill, so between December 1806 and October 1808 a deep well-shaft was blasted to a depth of about 71 meters (235 feet). The well is believed to be the deepest in the island.
The construction records, including the commanding officer's daily diary, are now in the National Archives at Kew.
