a place in history
· 1559:Queen Elizabeth orders that "a bulwark be built on the river at Upnor in the parish of Frindsbury, for the protection of our navy". Six acres of land
are purchased at a cost of £25.
· 1564: Stage one of construction is completed. Working to the design of military engineer Sir Richard Lee, the build costs £3,621.
· 1584: A defensive chain is laid across the Medway to sink enemy ships.
· 1599: Improvement works to the defences include a palisade in the river and the addition of north and south towers; Upnor Castle
has 18 guns of various sizes.
· 16421648: The English Civil War sees the castle change hands several times.
· 1667:During the second Dutch War, Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter leads the infamous Dutch raid, capturing and
destroying naval ships at anchor at Chatham Dockyard. Upnor Castle's defensive attempts are deemed a failure.
· 1668:The castle is converted to a place of stores; gun powder is shipped from the Tower of London and
stockpiled at Upnor Castle.
· 1718:Barracks are built regarded today as the second oldest purpose-built barracks in the country.
· 1827:The Upnor magazine closes.
· 1891:Ownership of the castle transfers from the War Office to the Admiralty.
· 1945:Upnor Castle is declared a museum.