Exeter city walls
Scheduled monument urban defence in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Exeter's city walls survive as a circuit approximately 2.35km long, of which 72% (1,705m) is still visible, some parts up to 2.5m high. The walls of Exeter, England, are a scheduled ancient monument.[1]
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| Exeter city walls | |
|---|---|
Athelstan's tower, at part of the city walls | |
 Interactive map of Exeter city walls | |
| Type | Fortification |
| Location | Exeter, England |
| Coordinates | 50.7224°N 3.53136°W |
| Area | 2.35 kilometres (1.46 miles) |
| Built | 13th-14th century |
| Original use | Urban defence |
| Restored | 19th century |
| Architectural style | Medieval |
| Owner | Exeter City Council |
| Official name | Roman, Anglo Saxon and medieval defences called collectively Exeter City Walls |
| Designated | 2 May 1934 |
| Reference no. | 1003858 |
History
Originally built by the Romans circa 200 AD, there were four gateways, which were dismantled in the 18th and 19th centuries.[2] The walls were repaired and rebuilt during the Anglo-Saxon, medieval and Civil War periods and the city was besieged at least twice. Several turrets and bastions in the wall are of uncertain date.[1]
William of Malmesbury attributed the walls' construction to Æthelstan, though they certainly had Roman origins. However, the Anglo-Saxon period did see significant repair and strengthening of the walls, as did the medieval period. As a result, the surviving walls today contain a mixture of work from many periods.[1]