English Heritage

1597Bastioned Fortress

Engineer Paul Ive encloses Henry VIII's castle within a pentagonal fortress to defend the entire headland. It has a high rampart, ditch and bastions with heavy guns.

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1625-30Strengthened Defences

After catastrophic English involvement in the Thirty Years War, engineer Sir Bernard Johnson builds a new bastioned rampart and ditch, strengthening the castle's northern defences.

1642-6Civil War

Pendennis serves as a Royalist garrison for Charles I. About 1,000 men endure a three-month siege, surrendering only when food runs out.

1646-1714The Fort Neglected

A small garrison is maintained, with new gateway and guard barracks. An engineer later reports Pendennis is 'neglected' and 'in a very ruinous condition'.

1732-9Georgian Modernisation

Engineer Colonel Christian Lilly recommends repairs. The old rampart is reformed and new guns are installed. New buildings include a storehouse, powder magazine and gunners' barracks.

1775-1815Wartime Additions

During the American and Napoleonic wars, the local Miners' Militia garrisons Pendennis. New additions include the Half-Moon Battery and five raised gun batteries.

1815-54Decline and Rearmament

Peacetime results in decades of neglect. When England and France once again become rivals, powerful guns are installed at Half-Moon Battery and Crab Quay.

1880-1900Modern Warfare Technology

Falmouth becomes a Defended Port. A submarine minefield is laid across the Fal estuary. Breech-loading guns, range-finders, searchlights for night fighting, telephones and electricity are introduced.

1902New Residents

The 105th Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery takes over at Pendennis. A war signal station is installed on the original castle roof to control shipping movements.

1914-1918First World War

Pendennis is the coast artillery defence command centre for West Cornwall during the First World War. Thousands of troops are trained here before going to war in France and Belgium.

1939-45Second World War

Pendennis defends against torpedo boats and launches long-range, radar-controlled attacks against enemy ships.

1945-1957Coast Artillery Branch

The Coast Artillery Branch of the Army uses Pendennis for training until it is disbanded.

1957Open to the Public

The Ministry of Works takes over care for Pendennis and opens it to the public.

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