Dover Castle

 

• 1066: William the Conqueror set fire to the structure on the site of modern-day Dover Castle and began building a new castle.

 

• 1179-1188: King Henry II commissioned the building of the Inner and Outer Baileys and Great Tower. He used the Great Tower as his residence when he was in the area.

 

• 13th Century: King John continued additional construction on the castle.

 

• 1250: King Henry III finished the castle when he added new gatehouses.

 

• 1265: Prince Edward, Henry III’s son, betrayed his father and besieged the castle. However, the King’s sister, Eleanor de Montfort, held the castle.

 

• 1520: Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, travels to Dover to visit Henry VIII and stays in the Great Tower during his visit.

 

• 1539: Anne of Cleves begins staying at Dover Castle after her marriage to Henry VIII.

 

• 1625-1626: Henrietta Maria, future Queen of England (and, at the time, a French princess), occupies Dover Castle. Her stay isn’t a pleasant one, as it wasn’t accommodating enough for her.

 

• 1642: Richard Dawkes, a Parliamentarian supporter, took the castle during the English Civil War. However, it was soon put back into the hands of the Royalists.

 

• 1701-1714: During the War of Spanish Succession, the castle acted as a prison and held many many Spanish prisoners of war.

 

• 18th Century: William Twiss worked along Royal Engineers to improve the defences of Dover Castle.

 

• 1939: Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay used the underground tunnels as part of Operation Dynamo to move British and French soldiers from his headquarters to the deep cliff barracks.

General Layout

After William the Conqueror set the original clay castle ablaze on the current site of Dover Castle, its scorched clay was used as flooring for his new structure. The castle was built over the site at William’s expense, though at the time it was a single wooden tower encircled by a wall.

During King Henry II’s reign, he completely renovated Dover Castle, transforming it into the massive stone structure seen today. It included thick perimeter curtain walls, an outer and inner bailey, a fortified keep, and a labyrinth of underground tunnels. Dover Castle was the very first concentric structure erected on the continent of Europe.

Original Layout

The site of Dover Castle sits atop the White Cliffs, a strategic placement for military operations. Its position not only made it more difficult to be accessed by enemies, but it also allowed those defending the castle to keep watch by overlooking the town of Dover. Additionally, it was conveniently located near Canterbury Road, at the time a major ancient throughway.

Outer Walls

Dover Castle’s curtain wall extended to the edge of the White Cliffs. These outer perimeter walls boasted 14 towers that sat atop slabs that projected outward (plinths). Not only did this serve as better defence by making the walls harder to scale, but it also had an offensive benefit. As missiles were thrown from the tower windows, they would unexpectedly bounce, adding an element of surprise.

Additionally, the outer curtain walls featured a two-storey platform from which artillery could be fired, along with multiple slit windows for archers. The position of the towers allowed for a wider field of vision.

Gateways

The castle featured two gateways, including a north and south gate. Each was situated between two towers and protected by a barbican.

Originally, the primary outer gate lined up perfectly with the inner gate. However, after the gate was breached by the French Prince Louis, it was shifted to the west. This seemingly awkward layout was intentional — with the two gates now out of line, enemies couldn’t charge one gate and then immediately charge through the next. Additionally, two Norfolk towers were added (Constable’s Tower). The Constable’s Tower was both a gatehouse and royal residence.

Guests approaching the tower would enter through a gate that led to the Outer Bailey.

Inner Walls and Bailey

From the Outer Bailey, visitors would cross through another gate to access the Inner Bailey. These inner walls further protected the Inner Bailey and the Keep. The gate included a portcullis that dropped from above, a barbican, and a swingbridge. The Keep and Inner Bailey were also separated from the rest of the castle grounds by a deep ditch.

Inside of the Inner Bailey sat the Great Tower, or Keep. This was the heartbeat of the mediaeval structure, and served as the residence for the royal visitors who occupied the castle.

The Keep

The Keep was constructed with massive square-cut stones placed atop Kentish Ragstone. Like the curtain wall towers, it also sat on a plinth. The Keep measured 25.4 metres tall and 29.5 metres wide and covers an area of 9.3 square metres. It boasted a towered entrance on the first floor. Originally, access to this floor was via a wooden staircase that could be dismantled in case of an attack.

Two spiral staircases sat in opposite corners of the Keep’s first floor. There was also a passage that provided access to a basement. To enter the basement, visitors would have to pass through three additional doors.

Royalty staying within the Keep enjoyed a plumbing system, banquet hall, and chapel. The plumbing system utilised an outdoor cistern that collected rainwater. Pipes were connected to the cistern that led into the castle Keep. Additionally, there was a 73-metre well inside where visitors could bucket water.

During the reign of King Henry II, it’s believed the Great Tower featured vibrant hues. 

Underground Tunnels

William Twiss was the mastermind behind the underground tunnels and barracks. He constructed them as a military strategy, using them to bring soldiers from inside the castle walls to the bottom of the cliffs in minutes. They were accessed via a stairwell that led troops 54.9 metres deep into the stone.

These tunnels originally consisted of one layer built in 1797, but would eventually go on to take up three layers.

Modern

Tourists visiting the site today can’t see any of William the Conqueror’s castle or wooden defences, as they’ve been lost to time. The modern castle architecture is primarily from the era when King Henry II’s served on the throne.

Today, Dover Castle is still encircled by a massive 12th-century curtain wall featuring two entrances on the eastern side. Canon’s Gateway is primarily for vehicle access, whereas Constable’s Gateway may be entered by those on foot. Much of the castle is still intact.

The Keep remains the star of the castle. It includes three levels of space which include latrines, a beautiful banquet hall, an audience hall, a store room, and the King’s private chambers. Today, it is decorated as it would have looked during King Henry II’s reign, including vibrant paints and lovely tapestries. Guests may also walk up the stone spiral staircase to the top of the Keep for a stunning view of the castle grounds.

Still accessible just north from the Keep’s base are the underground tunnels. They feature three layers deep within the White Cliffs. The original level (now the middle level) was built in the late 1700s, whereas the top and bottom levels were built in 1940 and 1941, respectively.