Former Gatehouse Datestone, Fort Blockhouse

Gatehouse datestone, originally built as part of the gatehouse to Fort Blockhouse in about 1709. Altered with an additional inscription in around 1813. Moved and placed on a concrete plinth as a freestanding monument following the demolition of the gatehouse in 1960.

MATERIALS: Portland stone ashlar on a concrete plinth.

DESCRIPTION: datestone to the former gatehouse at the entrance to Fort Blockhouse, now a freestanding monument. It is around 4m high and 2m wide and rests on a two-tiered stepped concrete plinth. The lower part of the datestone comprises the tooled Portland stone voussoirs which originally formed the entrance arch to the gatehouse. The keystone is carved with a shield bearing three cannons set on wheeled gun carriages beneath three cannon balls. Above the shield is the inscription ANNO and beneath it the date 1709, each set within a cartouche. The next stage is formed by a stone course and then a frieze surmounted by a cyma-reversa moulding. The frieze carries the inscription: REFORMED/ MDCCCXIII. Surmounting the frieze is a stone panel carved with the royal cypher and crown of Queen Anne flanked by two shoulder-scrolls; one enriched with rose decoration and the other a thistle. It is topped by a cornice with a cavetto and cyma-recta moulding. The back and side of the monument are plain, having been made-good with render.