Fortress Builder: Bernard de Gomme, Charles II's Military Engineer

by Andrew Saunders, A. D. Saunders, Saunders

Overview

This is the first study dedicated to the military engineer Bernard de Gomme, and to late 17th-century fortification in England. Heavily illustrated, and produced in a large format, it includes reproductions of many of de Gomme's original plans and drawings. Bernard de Gomme, a Dutchman, was recruited by Prince Rupert as a fortifications expert at the beginning of the English Civil War; he re-fortified Oxford and drew maps of the main battles. After the Restoration he improved the defenses of Dunkirk and Tangier, but his main contribution, as Chief Engineer, was fortifying Portsmouth, Gosport, Plymouth, Sheerness and Tilbury Fort. De Gomme personifies the development of English military engineering during the late 17th century, at a time when bastioned fortification in Europe was at its most sophisticated.
Andrew Saunders was formerly Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Building.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780859897518
Publisher:	Liverpool University Press
Publication date:	05/20/2004
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	10.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Andrew Saunders is an authority with an international reputation in the field of military architecture, both of early medieval castles and later artillery fortifications. He was formerly Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings (Department of the Environment/English Heritage).

Table of Contents

List of plates and figures
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Background to Seventeenth-Century
Fortress Building
The European background
Military organisation
Predominance of siege warfare
The role of the engineer
Bernard de Gomme (1620-1685)
The Anglo-Dutch relationship and the Civil Wars
1. The Old Dutch School of Fortification
2. The Civil War, 50
3. Dunkirk and Tangier
4. Plymouth Citadel
5. Portsmouth
6. The Medway
7. Tilbury Fort
8. The Tower of London and Other Commissions
9. .De Gomme and the Ordnance Office
10. De Gomme as Draughtsman
11. De Gomme as Military Engineer
Conclusion: De Gomme, the Man in Context
Appendix: List of de Gomme's Plans and Drawings
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"... places de Gomme in the larger context of military engineering and describes in detail his specific works in England. While truly scholarly, the book is well and clearly written, and does not demand prior expertise in the field. Many historian-authors will envy Saunders for the investment that the University of Exeter Press, supported by a grant from English Heritage, has made in this quality book. It is an unusually attractive work, with numerous plans vital to understanding de Gomme's work. It is good to see such an important book so well produced. This book, then, is the happy combination of an authoritative author and a committed publisher. The resulting work does justice to a major figure in the history of English fortifications, and is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in either 17th-Century fortifications or English fortifications. While not inexpensive, it is clearly an excellent investment."—The Coast Defence Journal

"This rounded analysis sets the work and achievement of de Gomme in its wider historical, political and technical context and skilfully traces his growing influence on design through his fortification commissions and his state appointments."—Antiquaries Journal

From the Publisher