The rearming of the Portsmouth Round Tower in 1540 was a critical element of the comprehensive upgrade of Portsmouth harbour defences that accompanied the construction of Southsea Castle. The Round Tower, originally built in the 1420s, received modern bronze artillery that could engage enemy vessels attempting to force the harbour entrance. Together with the Square Tower opposite and Southsea Castle to the east, it created an interlocking artillery defence of the harbour mouth that would be tested in the 1545 French crisis.
None in 1540
Portsmouth garrison; specialist gunners from the Tower of London armouries
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