How And Why Has Dover Castle Changed Since The Roman Period?

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Milly Ferguson

Dover Castle was built on this site because it overlooks the English Channel, defenders could see when attackers were coming over sea. Also most of Dover’s fortune was in Dover Harbour, it was essential to keep this part of Dover defended as it was the target for invading Britain.

A Brief History

Early History (Iron Age and Roman):

The earliest part of the castle was built during the Iron Age. The Romans then built a lighthouse, known as a pharos in the first century AD, then another one facing Western Heights. The Anglo-Saxons then built a fortified town, St Mary-in-Castro. The pharos and the church are still here today.

The Medieval Period (1066 – 1485):

William the Conqueror built the first medieval fortification in November 1066, but no evidence of this has been found. Nearly £6,000 was spent on the castle from 1179 – 1188. This is most of the medieval castle which survives today. Maurice the ‘Ingeniator’ (a medieval military engineer) built the keep, the walls and the towers of the inner bailey. He also started the outer bailey wall but didn’t finish it. In 1204 King John gave money to complete the castle. The fortifications were advanced enough to defend the castle in 1215. The castle became out-of-date as guns were made more powerful in 1500.

The 18th Century:

The castle was uninhabited and the keep was used to hold prisoners of war in 1660 for a number of years. Because the castle’s fortune was in Dover Harbour, in 1945 the castle had its defences extended and modified for every European war that Britain was involved in. The harbour was the main target for any power trying to invade Britain, some of these include: Jacobite invasion from Dunkirk in 1744, Napoleon’s Grand Army in 1805, and Hitler’s Nazi Army in 1940. Military planners were scared that enemies might land troops then encircle Dover from the back and capture the harbour. This meant the castle had to be modified for this new type of warfare; they added new barracks in 1745 to accommodate new troops. The northern defences were remodelled to carry heavy artillery. Modernised the medieval spur to accommodate infantry. Bell Battery and Four Gun Battery were built to protect the castle from assault. These were the first major additions for 500 years.

At the end of the 18th century modernization continued during the wars with Napoleonic France. Lieutenant Colonel William Twiss added extra gun positions on the eastern side of the outer defences. The spur at the northern end was strengthened by adding a raised gun platform (redan). He then replaced the roof of the keep with brick vaults so he could mount heavy artillery. He also filled every available space in the castle with storerooms and barracks. Twiss then constructed the cliff barracks underground. He was also overseeing the construction of vast fortifications in Western Heights, but all these modernizations were taking place when the French Invasion was expected. The keep still dated back to the medieval period, and as more advanced guns and machinery was being introduced the keeps had to be adjusted slightly. The new guns meant that Dover castle was a major fortress. The castle was used as a garrison headquarters then the castle had an extensive programme of barrack building, some of which still stand near the car park.

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        The castle was then used for defence in WW1, from 1914-1918. As this was before radio communication became reliable, the only option was to use things such as naval flags. The Admiralty Lookout Platform was used for this during WW1.

        From 1939-1918, during WW2, the castle was centre of communications through the war. It was also used as a base for British rescuee’s from Dunkirk. The military then remained stationed at the castle until 1958, and then it was handed over to the home office. The last role Dover castle had to play was when the casemate tunnels ...

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