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Lost Castle Stone Finds New Life in Other Buildings
5 Sep
Summary
- Stones from Henry VIII's Sandown Castle were reused in other structures.
- Researcher Christopher Moore identified at least five sites with salvaged stone.
- Some stonework may date back nearly 1,000 years to Norman monasteries.
Stones from Henry VIII's coastal fortress, Sandown Castle, have been discovered in at least five different locations, according to researcher Christopher Moore. Moore traced architectural evidence and historical records to identify where the materials from the dismantled castle were reused.
One prominent example is the Victorian extension at Constable's Gate in Dover Castle, which incorporated stone from Sandown. Moore also highlighted the Eastry Union Chapel in Kent, noting its budget constraints led to a diverse mix of salvaged stonework.
This chapel may contain materials nearly 1,000 years old, originating from Norman monasteries that were themselves dismantled. Chemical analysis of the stones helped Moore map the distribution of Sandown's reused masonry.
Moore believes many more instances of Sandown's stones being repurposed likely exist. He noted that Sandown Castle did not simply fall into the sea but was systematically dismantled and its stones used for various purposes over the centuries.
