Original Regency drawing, dating to circa 1815.

Depicting a view of British Infantry soldiers marching in formation up to Dover Castle, presumably during the changing of the garrison. The unusual view point is through a window within the castle complex itself, so likely drawn by an officer of the garrison. The uniforms help to date this drawing to circa 1815.

Signed and inscribed upper left - as yet I have been unable to decipher the writing. Also with a collector's blind stamp, the initials JDH. 

Pencil and charcoal on wove paper. In a modern gilt wood frame with new, acid free mount.

Drawing in good original condition, some light foxing in the sky and to the right hand edge of the sheet (see photos). Frame in sound condition, with some slight nicks and scratches, mount new (see photos).

Image 53.5cm x 37cm, frame 63.5cm x 45.5cm.

Comes with our Certificate of Authenticity - guaranteed authentic and original.

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Dover Castle is a medieval castle in Dover, Kent, England and is Grade I listed. It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history. Some writers say it is the largest castle in England, a title also claimed by Windsor Castle.

Massive rebuilding took place at the end of the 18th century during the Napoleonic Wars. William Twiss, the Commanding Engineer of the Southern District, as part of his brief to improve the town's defences, completed the remodelling of the outer defences of Dover Castle by adding the huge Horseshoe, Hudson's, East Arrow and East Demi-Bastions to provide extra gun positions on the eastern side, and constructing the Constable's Bastion for additional protection on the west. Twiss further strengthened the Spur at the northern end of the castle, adding a redan, or raised the gun platform. By taking the roof off the keep and replacing it with massive brick vaults, he was able to mount heavy artillery on the top. Twiss also constructed Canon's Gateway to link the defences of the castle with those of the town.

With Dover becoming a garrison town, there was a need for barracks and storerooms for the additional troops and their equipment. The solution adopted by Twiss and the Royal Engineers was to create a complex of barracks tunnels about 15 metres below the cliff-top, and the first troops were accommodated in 1803.

By 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic wars, British Infantry uniforms had several distinctive features. Infantrymen now wore a shorter red jacket, grey trousers, the distinctive white cross-over bayonet belt and a hat of heavy velvet and leather known as a Belgic Shako.