17th century Civil War earthwork fortification.


This earthwork fort was built in the mid 17th century by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, Lord of Man, and a Royalist who fortified the Island against Parliamentary forces during the Great Civil War which racked the British islands from 1642 to 1651.


The fort is a simple example of a sconce or star fort, so-called because of its pointed outline, and was designed to withstand almost all forms of artillery attack.


It is basically rectangular, measuring 50 by 37m internally. The interior is raised 3m above the level of the surrounding ground and protected by thick ramparts still standing to a height of 5m. Each corner is further strengthened by a pointed projecting bastion, so that the overall size of the fort was 110 by 95m.


The bastions were designed to serve as gun emplacements: at the time of its surrender the fort was equipped with nine cannon of various sizes. The interior of the fort provided shelter for troops, supplies, and even horses.


The fort guarded the most reliable route round the marshy Curraghs from Ramsey - the best port in the north of the Island - to Peel in the west, with its castle and harbour. Stanley created several other fortifications around the Island, but Kerroogarrow is the best preserved and stands comparison with some of the best examples surviving in England.