With particular reference to Rochester Castle can you explain how and why castles changed after 1215
Sam Prowse
Between 1217 and 1231 Rochester castle and the town defence were up graded this because new weapons were being made that were very powerful and could smash though the strongest medieval castle walls. Then between 1237 and 1248 the castles comfort were improved this was because it this time castle were becoming more residential so therefore it needed to be comfortable to live in.
In the twenty years after 1217 £680 was spend on the castle £530 of this money was spent on repairing the damage keep and the southwest tower had to be rebuilt because it was undermine in 1215 siege. The tower was rebuilt with a round .A round tower was harder to undermine this was because they don’t have a point were the walls join. This did not really stop undermining in the completely because three of the others tower were still square. Another change made was that the southern drawbridge and the timber hoards were replaced because they had being badly damage in 1215 siege. The timber hoards had to be replaced this there a good defensive because protect the walls under them. The floors were covered in lead. The roof was all so covered in lead because it’s stronger and less flammable then wood. Another change make was adding a wall that split the bailey into two. This cost £20.12.6d to constructed this was add to tightened the defensive ring around the keep which means that it would be harder and take more time to get inside the castle. Another change made was the neutralisation of Boley hill .This was done because King John had put his siege engines up on the hill in the siege of 1215. So the best move would be to neutralise it being used he a future attack.
