Dartmouth is a community and also civil parish in the English area of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the western financial institution of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a lengthy narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as South Hams district, as well as had a population of 5,512 in 2001, [1] decreasing to 5,064 at the 2011 census There are 2 selecting wards in the Dartmouth location (Townstal & Kingswear). Their mixed population at the above census was 6,822. In 1086, the Domesday Book provides Dunestal as the only settlement in the area which currently composes the parish of Dartmouth. It was held by Walter of Douai. It paid tax obligation on half a hide, and had 2 plough teams, two slaves, 5 citizens as well as 4 smallholders. There were 6 cattle, 40 lamb and also 15 goats. Right now Townstal (as the name ended up being) was evidently a purely farming negotiation, centred around the church. Walter of Douai rebelled against William II, and also his lands were confiscated as well as contributed to the honour of Marshwood (Dorset), which sublet Townstal and also Dartmouth to the FitzStephens. It was most likely during the very early part of their proprietorship that Dartmouth began to grow as a port, as it was of calculated significance as a deep-water port for sailing vessels. The port was used as the cruising point for the Crusades of 1147 and also 1190, and also Warfleet Creek, near to Dartmouth Castle is supposed by some to be named for the substantial fleets which put together there. Dartmouth was a home of the Royal Navy from the power of Edward III and was two times stunned and sacked throughout the Hundred Years War, after which the mouth of the tidewater was closed every night with a wonderful chain. The narrow mouth of the Dart is shielded by two fortified castles, Dartmouth Castle and also Kingswear Castle. Initially Dartmouth's only jetty was Bayard's Cove, a relatively tiny location shielded by a ft at the southern end of the town.