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Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom
Dover Castle - Queen Elizabeth’s Pocket Pistol
Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol was made in Utrecht in
Holland in 1544. It was presented to King Henry VIII by
the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. It is known to have
been at the Castle since 1613.
The gun is a brass Basilisk capable of firing its 12 pound
shot over seven miles. The gun bears the following
inscription which reads (in translation):
Holland in 1544. It was presented to King Henry VIII by
the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. It is known to have
been at the Castle since 1613.
The gun is a brass Basilisk capable of firing its 12 pound
shot over seven miles. The gun bears the following
inscription which reads (in translation):
'Breaker my name of rampart and wall
Over hill and dale I throw my ball'
The gun is now kept under cover for conservation reasons.
