Cowes Castle Isle of Wight 1784

Cowes Castle. Antique print of Cowes Castle, here titled West Cowes Castle, is a Device Fort in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Originally built by Henry VIII in 1539 to protect England against the threat of invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, it comprised a circular bastion, flanking wings and a keep, and in 1547 it housed 17 pieces of artillery. Original copper-plate engraved print from ‘The Antiquities of England and Wales’ by Francis Grose, dated in the plate 1784. Paper size approx. 11 x 7.5 inches. Excellent condition. A rare item.