Portsmouth Ferries

The city of Portsmouth began in the 1180 when a merchant by the name of Jean De Gisors founded a little town in South-West corner of Portsea Island. Jean De Gisors was a merchant who owned a fleet of ships. He was also a landowner who owned land on Portsea Island. In the South-West of the island was a small inlet from the sea called the Camber. It was a place for sheltered ships to land, After sometime De Gisors decided it was an ideal place to start a town.

In 1185 a parish church was built (later it became Portsmouth Cathedral).

In 1194 Portsmouth were given a charter which granted the people of portsmouth some new rights.

In 1212 a building called the Domus Dei (house of God) was built. It was a form of hospital where monks looked after sick and poor people. There was also a hostel for lepers outside the town. Portsmouth was, at first, run by a man called a reeve assisted by bailiffs. By the 14th century Portsmouth had a mayor elected by the merchants. There were also constables responsible for arresting wrongdoers.

In 1369 a military governor was appointed who was responsible for the defense of the town. However Portsmouth was burned down 4 times during the 14th century during a period of almost continuous warfare between England and France. The French burned Portsmouth in 1338, 1369, 1377 and 1380, (This was easy as most of the buildings were of wood with thatched roofs. On the other hand they could be easily rebuilt).

Portsmouth was not fortified till after the last attack in 1380. A ditch was dug around the town and the earth was used to make a rampart. A wooden stockade was erected on top. About 1418 a tower was erected at the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour called the Round Tower. Cannons on it could fire at any enemy ship attempting to enter the harbour. Later, in 1522 a giant chain was stretched across the mouth of the harbour with a winch by the Round Tower. It could be lowered to let in friendly ships but raised to prevent enemy ones entering the harbour.

In 1494 Henry VII try to make portsmoth stronger by build the square tower. But only the round tower and the square tower were of stone. The rest of the fortifications were of wood. Henry also changed the destiny of Portsmouth when he build a dockyard in 1495. The dockyard was a place where royal warships could be built or repaired. From then on Portsmouth became a naval port. The dockyard was built a short distance north of the town. At first it consisted of a single dry dock.