Dartmouth is a town and also civil parish in the English area of Devon. It is a vacationer location set on the western financial institution of the tidewater of the River Dart, which is a lengthy slim 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 area, and had a population of 5,512 in 2001, [1] minimizing to 5,064 at the 2011 census There are 2 selecting wards in the Dartmouth location (Townstal & Kingswear). Their mixed populace at the above demographics was 6,822. In 1086, the Domesday Book notes Dunestal as the only negotiation in the location which currently comprises the church of Dartmouth. It was held by Walter of Douai. It paid tax obligation on half a hide, as well as had two plough teams, two slaves, 5 citizens and also 4 smallholders. There were six livestock, 40 sheep and also 15 goats. Right now Townstal (as the name became) was obviously a simply agricultural negotiation, centred around the church. Walter of Douai rebelled against William II, and his lands were seized and contributed to the honour of Marshwood (Dorset), which sublet Townstal and Dartmouth to the FitzStephens. It was probably throughout the early part of their proprietorship that Dartmouth started to expand as a port, as it was of critical relevance as a deep-water port for sailing vessels. The port was utilized as the sailing factor for the Crusades of 1147 and also 1190, and Warfleet Creek, near to Dartmouth Castle is intended by some to be named for the huge fleets which constructed there. Dartmouth was a home of the Royal Navy from the reign of Edward III and also was twice surprised and also sacked throughout the Hundred Years War, after which the mouth of the estuary was closed every night with a fantastic chain. The narrow mouth of the Dart is shielded by two fortified castles, Dartmouth Castle and also Kingswear Castle. Initially Dartmouth's only dock was Bayard's Cove, a reasonably small location safeguarded by a ft at the southerly end of the community.