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Standing guard over the entrance to the Dart estuary, Dartmouth Castle was built at a time in the late Middle Ages when the rich merchants of Dartmouth felt the need to protect themselves from attack. When the gun tower was built, in 1481, it was one of the most advanced fortifications in England.The castle saw action during the Civil War of the 17th century, and was kept on alert during the wars against the Dutch which followed. In the First and Second World Wars it was pressed into active service once again, and guns were installed on the battlements. This guidebook traces its history from medieval times to the present day, and includes a tour which sheds new light on this impressive stronghold.