Dartmouth
Dartmouth is a community and also civil parish in the English area of Devon. It is a visitor location set on the western bank of the tidewater 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 and also South Hams area, as well as had a population of 5,512 in 2001, [1] reducing to 5,064 at the 2011 census There are 2 selecting wards in the Dartmouth location (Townstal & Kingswear). Their combined population at the above census was 6,822. In 1086, the Domesday Book provides Dunestal as the only settlement in the area which currently makes up the church of Dartmouth. It was held by Walter of Douai. It paid tax on half a hide, and had 2 plough groups, two servants, five villagers and also four smallholders. There were six cattle, 40 sheep and 15 goats. Currently Townstal (as the name became) was apparently a purely agricultural settlement, centred around the church. Walter of Douai rebelled versus William II, and also his lands were confiscated and also contributed to the honour of Marshwood (Dorset), which sublet Townstal and Dartmouth to the FitzStephens. It was possibly throughout the very early part of their proprietorship that Dartmouth started to expand as a port, as it was of tactical 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 Dartmouth Castle is intended by some to be called for the huge fleets which set up there. Dartmouth was a home of the Royal Navy from the power of Edward III and also was two times surprised and sacked throughout the Hundred Years War, after which the mouth of the tidewater was shut every evening with a wonderful chain. The narrow mouth of the Dart is shielded by two fortified castles, Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle. Initially Dartmouth's only dock was Bayard's Cove, a reasonably tiny location shielded by a fort at the southerly end of the town.