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Having researched aspects of the Castle’s history for some time, in coming months I will be sharing a series of articles here about why Severndroog was built. In this first piece, I will set out some background.
Severndroog Castle is described as a memorial to Sir William James, Commodore of the East India Company, in recognition of his achievements in the East Indies, the conquest, under his leadership, of the fort of Suvarnadurg in 1755 and the defeat of ‘pirates’ on the Malabar coast. But there is much more to this building than a simple memorial to a much-loved husband and his status in life.
Sir William James died on the 16th of December 1783. The first stone of Severndroog Castle was laid less than seven months later, on 6th July 1784. The building’s design is rather unusual, having aspects of a church in its style of windows, a castle in its battlements, and a lighthouse with its spectacular views and prominent position, all set in ancient woodland.
The architect, Richard Jupp, had links with the East India Company and had been involved in the design of a lighthouse on the Isle of Wight. He was known to William James through their links with Admiralty House.
Was Lady James, described as a grieving widow, the instigator of the memorial with involvement in its design? How did she envisage the castle being used and did she believe it might have a more significant role in history?
Look out for further articles, which will be published here at intervals
Having researched aspects of the Castle’s history for some time, in coming months I will be sharing a series of articles here about why Severndroog was built. In this first piece, I will set out some background.
Severndroog Castle is described as a memorial to Sir William James, Commodore of the East India Company, in recognition of his achievements in the East Indies, the conquest, under his leadership, of the fort of Suvarnadurg in 1755 and the defeat of ‘pirates’ on the Malabar coast. But there is much more to this building than a simple memorial to a much-loved husband and his status in life.
Sir William James died on the 16th of December 1783. The first stone of Severndroog Castle was laid less than seven months later, on 6th July 1784. The building’s design is rather unusual, having aspects of a church in its style of windows, a castle in its battlements, and a lighthouse with its spectacular views and prominent position, all set in ancient woodland.
The architect, Richard Jupp, had links with the East India Company and had been involved in the design of a lighthouse on the Isle of Wight. He was known to William James through their links with Admiralty House.
Was Lady James, described as a grieving widow, the instigator of the memorial with involvement in its design? How did she envisage the castle being used and did she believe it might have a more significant role in history?
Look out for further articles, which will be published here at intervals
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