Title:

Rochester Castle External Views

Price:

£50.00

Overview

Rochester Castle's history begins shortly after the 1066 Norman Conquest, built to guard a vital crossing of the River Medway on the route from London to Dover. Initially a wooden fortress granted to Bishop Odo of Bayeux, it was rebuilt in stone by the skilled architect Bishop Gundulf after a rebellion in 1088. Gundulf’s original stone curtain wall still forms part of the existing structure, laying the foundation for a formidable stronghold that would dominate the landscape for centuries. The castle's defining feature is its imposing 113-foot-tall Norman keep, one of the tallest in Europe. Construction of this massive stone tower began around 1127 under the auspices of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Built with thick walls of local Kentish ragstone and imported Caen stone, the keep featured a sophisticated internal design across three main floors, designed to serve as both a powerful military fortification and a lordly residence. Rochester Castle was central to major conflicts, most famously enduring a brutal siege by King John in 1215 during the First Barons' War. Royal forces undermined the keep's southeast corner using a fire fueled by the fat of 40 pigs, causing a partial collapse. Although the defenders ultimately surrendered, the castle was later repaired by Henry III, who rebuilt the damaged corner with a stronger, rounded design. Following subsequent sieges and military decline, the castle fell into ruin and is now managed by English Heritage as a historic public site.

Tags:

castle, Buildings, historical, South East, england, Tudor, kent

Creator (Verified):

@Merlin-Capture