God's House Tower - part of Southampton's old fortifications

The structure, also known as the South-East Castle Tower, gained its name from the nearby Hospital of God's House in the 12th century.

According to the history books the hospital’s chief purpose was “to keep hospitality to poor strangers coming daily by land or sea… the support and maintenance of seven beds for hospital accommodation for poor and infirm mendicants and the daily distribution to medicants and poor inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood.’’ 

God's House Gate was built about 1300, and a tower adjoining the gate, the South East Tower, was built in the early 1400s when Southampton was threatened by French raiders.

It was originally built in two stories, with the lower floor being mainly used by soldiers, and the upper floor for manning guns during times of great unrest.

Southampton was once again under threat from the French in 1454, and rumours began to circulate regarding strange happenings within the tower.

An important and highly paid individual in charge of operations was the Town Gunner, who was paid sixpence (2p) a day and received a new gown every year.

In fact, the Town Gunner was the highest-paid official in the town at that time.

A year's salary for the Town Clerk was only £5.

During Margaret of Anjou's visit to God's House in spring, 1446, one of the most spectacular sights was seen around the tower. 

Following her arrival in Portsmouth, she travelled to Southampton by water to great fanfare.

“One can picture the ceremonial at the gateway, the future queen in the sweeping robes, the winged fur edged sleeves and the high inverted horseshoe shaped head-dress with the draped cascading veil so fashionable for that period,’’ reads one historical report.

“What a flutter among the women-folk of the hospital at the sight of such grandeur. How they must have chatted with the dressmaker who had been sent especially from London to fit out the queen for her marriage.

“For four days Margaret and her ladies stayed before she was presented with regal ceremony to Henry VI and then the whole court moved to Titchfield for the wedding that took place on April 22.’’ 

It was in 1475 that the French attacked Southampton again, and the principle cannon used was named "Thomas with the Beard." 

Located in the South Tower, the cannon was known to be a rather dangerous piece of artillery, as when the cannon was fired the Town Gunner had to be protected by hoardings in order to keep him safe.

In time, the old South Tower ceased to serve as a defensive structure as the need to fight decreased.

It was leased from the town in 1620 by a butcher for the purpose of keeping pigs.

Following complaints to the local authorities about the smell, the butcher was later fined 13s 4d (67p).

By 1707, God's House Tower had been converted and used as a Bridewell, a sort of reformatory for "loose characters". Then in 1774, the tower as a whole was used as the town prison.

For the next 110 years, the tower was used as the local prison until 1854, when the inmates were transferred to a new gaol in Ascupart Street.

In 1875, the tower and gateway were repaired and cleaned out and used as corporation storehouses.

At one time a time ball was placed on the roof of the tower and activated by an electrical impulse from Greenwich during the last years of the 19th century,

Navigators aboard ships offshore could verify the setting of their marine chronometers by the ball dropping at a predetermined time.

The time ball was moved to the South Western House in 1904.

These days God’s House Tower is an arts and heritage venue offering myriad services including exhibitions, a cafe and bar, and even venue hire.