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Latitude: 53.0702 / 53°4'12"N
Longitude: -4.2989 / 4°17'56"W
OS Eastings: 246071
OS Northings: 355020
OS Grid: SH460550
Mapcode National: GBR 5H.BL5L
Mapcode Global: WH43S.Y315
Plus Code: 9C5Q3PC2+3C
Entry Name: Outer Defensive Wall to Fort Williamsburg
Listing Date: 29 May 1968
Last Amended: 30 September 1999
Grade: II*
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 20467
Building Class: Defence
ID on this website: 300020467
Location: Forming a perimeter to the fort which is approximately 0.5km south-east of the house and reached by the south drive.
County: Gwynedd
Community: Llandwrog
Community: Llandwrog
Locality: Glynllifon
Traditional County: Caernarfonshire
Tagged with: Wall
Fort Williamsburg was built by Sir Thomas John Wynn in 1761 following his election as MP for Caernarvonshire and his appointment as Constable of Caernarvon Castle and Lord Lieutenant making him responsible for the county's militia. He was a notable eccentric of his day and he carried out these responsibilities in an unparalleled way, by building his own private garrison within the park at the family home.
On the day of George III's coronation (September 1761) Wynn founded 'The Society or Garrison at Fort Williamsburg in Glynllifon Park' and he also created 'The Holy Order of Sisterhood United, Connected and Regulated with the Free, Firm and Friendly Garrison of Williamsburg' - a unique volunteer organisation. The intention was for the garrison to comprise a Commander in Chief, a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, 100 Officers, an Archdeacon, 24 chaplains, 24 honorary members and an unlimited number of volunteers. Although the officers were not part of the regular army they wore full and colourful uniform all at Wynn's expense.
The Caernarvonshire Militia was mobilised for a year while there was a threat of French invasion but even after the 1763 Treaty of Paris the muster books show that the Williamsburg garrison continued to meet. However, having realised that Fort Williamsburg had limited strategic capability, and with the American War of Independence once again threatening British shores, Wynn began work on Fort Belan begun in 1775.
The outer defensive wall may be part of the 1770's enlargements.
Rubble roughly coursed wall, partly overgrown. The wall follows a roughly square boundary to the star-fort and have angled bastions or redans at the four corners. These form an outer defence and are flanked by ditches. There are gates on all four sides with arched entrances, the main entrance being that to north through the gatehouse. The wall is broken to south by modern farmyard buildings to right of which is a tunnelled gateway that leads into the barracks.
The fort is roughly square with redans to the four corners and with surrounding ditches and revetment walls.
Listed grade II* as an integral part of this rare and remarkable British example of an C18 private fortification.
Group value with other listed items at Fort Williamsburg.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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