Exeter city walls

Exeter's city walls survive as a circuit approximately 2.35km long, of which 72% (1,705m) is still visible, some parts up to 2.5m high. The walls of Exeter, England, are a scheduled ancient monument.^[1]

Exeter city walls
Athelstan's tower, at part of the city walls
Type	Fortification
Location	Exeter, England
Coordinates	50.7224°N 3.53136°W / 50.7224; -3.53136
Area	2.35 kilometres (1.46 miles)
Built	13th-14th century
Original use	Urban defence
Restored	19th century
Architectural style(s)	Medieval
Owner	Exeter City Council
Scheduled monument
Official name	Roman, Anglo Saxon and medieval defences called collectively Exeter City Walls
Designated	2 May 1934
Reference no.	1003858

History

Originally built by the Romans in circa 200 AD, there were four gateways which were dismantled in the 18th and 19th centuries.^[2] The walls were repaired and rebuilt during the Anglo-Saxon, medieval and Civil War periods and the city was besieged at least twice. Several turrets and bastions in the wall are of uncertain date.^[1]

William of Malmesbury attributed the walls' construction to Æthelstan, though they certainly had Roman origins. However, the Anglo-Saxon period did see significant repair and strengthening of the walls, as did the medieval period. As such, the surviving walls today contain a mixture of work across many periods.^[1]

See also

• List of town walls in England and Wales