Battlefields›Plymouth Blockhouse — Muster and Garrison 1539
Tudor

Plymouth Blockhouse — Muster and Garrison 1539

1539
Devon, England
Also known as: Plymouth Device blockhouse muster 1539 · Henry VIII Plymouth fort commissioning 1539
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
VS
Victor
Henry VIII (crown)
Outcome
Plymouth blockhouses garrisoned covering the entrance to Plymouth Sound; artillery positioned against enemy fleet approach
The Battle

History & Significance

The blockhouses built at Plymouth in 1539 were designed to prevent enemy forces from using Plymouth Sound — the finest natural harbour on the South Devon coast — as an invasion base. They formed the nucleus of what would become a major naval installation in the Elizabethan period. Drake used Plymouth as his base in 1588 when the Armada was sighted.

Casualties & Losses

None recorded

Forces Involved

Garrison of gunners and infantry; artillery commanding Plymouth Sound

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Plymouth Blockhouse — Muster and Garrison 1539

The Royal Citadel mid 17th century bastioned artillery defence, incorporating late 16th century artillery fort and 18th century statue, on the Hoe
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Plymouth Castle (remains of)
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Resolution Fort: Civil War town defences at Friary Court
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Mount Batten: prehistoric and Romano-British settlement
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Mount Batten: 17th century artillery tower, Civil War breastwork, and World War II remains
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
More from this era

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Rhys ap Thomas Pacification of Glamorgan 1486
1486
Bridgend, Wales
Rhys ap Thomas Mustering for Bosworth 1485
1485
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Henry Tudor's March — Dale to Bosworth
1485
Leicestershire, England
Skirmish at Welshpool during Henry Tudor March 1485
1485
Powys, Wales
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