History Romans - 1495

Portsmouth provides a superb natural harbour, strategically sited in relation to the continent of Europe and protected from prevailing south-westerly winds by our island. We believe that as early as 400bc there was a Dockyard at its head around what is now the Porchester area where the ancient Britons had a fortress.

Around 287AD, the Romans made the fortress their main naval base and built Portchester castle. 600 years later, King Alfred is thought to have built his fleet in this area using Portchester castle as his base.

In the early 13th century there was a creek and a millpond in Portsmouth that ran from the harbour just north of what is now Gunwharf. King John kept his ships here and vessels were pulled up at high tide and allowed to ground. At low tide, a wall would be built across the mouth of the creek to keep out the returning tide.

In 1212, King John commanded the sheriff of Southampton “to cause our docks at Portsmouth to be enclosed by a good and strong wall……..……….and use as much despatch as you can, in order that the same may be completed this summer lest in the ensuing winter our ships and galleys and their rigging should incur damage by your default”. Storehouses were built against this wall and there we have as near as we can paint a picture of the first dockyard in Portsmouth. No royal ships were built yet but the King’s sailing vessels and galleys were frequently under repair with timber brought from the forest of Portchester. Skilled carpenters and shipwrights had to be recruited from the Cinque ports.


John’s dock did not have a long life. In 1228 it was seriously damaged by the sea and was filled- in. In 1265, Portsmouth was burnt and cargoes in the port were seized by the barons of the Cinque Ports who resented the growing importance of the village.

Towards the end of the 13th century, Edward II divided the shores of England into three sections, appointing one third of his ships to each part. Portsmouth became the headquarters of the southern division under the command of Sir William de Seybourne, the first man in England to be called an admiral.