My tea and scone tour of Kent took me to Dover Castle in the middle of a cruel sou'wester. Could not actually get across the inner bailey to the cafe as the wind knocked one over as soon as one lifted a foot. So I took refuge in the NAAFI, which has been refurbished a bit since Henry II.
In the corner was was the longest muzzle loader I have ever seen. Closer examination revealed it to be called Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Gun.
QEPG was cast for Henry VIII by a Dutch engineer and Elizabeth inherited it. It guarded the Dover Calais gap until the War of the Three Kingdoms (previously known as the English Civil War) where the Parliamentarians acquired it. The gun was captured by the Royalists at the Battle of Loswithial in Cornwall so it got about a bit.
What a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one quite like it, Michael.
DeleteI am glad they don't have it outside anymore! I recall it used to sit outside the castle, which didn't seem to be a wise way to treat such a unique treasure.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it makes a pretty piece in the restaurant.
DeleteJudging by the weather it would get more attention in the cafe than being outside!
ReplyDeleteIt was bloody awful, almost impossible to cross the inner bailey without being blown over. Pity poor sailors....
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