Lower
Ward The Guard
House was built in the earlier nineteenth century to replace the Old port
guard. The Belfry housed the bell which rang when the causeway was about
to be covered and the castle would be cut off. Fort Charles was originally
built as an outpost in the 1640s and became part of the castle during
the 1668 extension. During the Occupation a light machine gun was placed
here. The Hospital
and workshops were built about 1800 on the site of the Governor's stables
and the seventeenth century fortified windmill. The Second
Gateway was built in the 1690s and bears the coat of arms of King William
III. During the Occupation the gateway was widened by about 2Ocms to allow
lorries to pass through. The West
Bastion was built in the 1660s to allow guns to fire along the length
of the walls. In addition to the cannon embrasures there are small musket
loops set in the wall. The Concealed
Steps to the Ditch were built in 1781 - the same year as the Battle of
Jersey. At the bottom of the stairs is one of three magazines used for
storing gunpowder. The Ditch
was originally the storm beach which was seperated the two islets. Sally
ports at either end lead to the outside. The Third
Gateway is the entrance into the Lower Ward. The castle had been extended
this far by 1636. A German 105mm casemate was built in The buildings around the Parade ground house the museum displays the cafe and the toilets. |
![]() Elizabeth Castle History |