Dover Castle. Dover Castle is a medieval castle in Dover, Kent, England.
It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the Key to England due to its defensive significance throughout history. Some sources say it is the largest castle in England, a title also claimed by Windsor Castle.
This site may have been fortified with earthworks in the Iron Age or earlier, before the Romans invaded in AD 43. This is suggested on the basis of the unusual pattern of the earthworks which does not seem to be a perfect fit for the medieval castle. Excavations have provided evidence of Iron Age occupation within the locality of the castle, but it is not certain whether this is associated with the hillfort.
The site also contains one of Dover's two Roman lighthouses, one of only three surviving Roman-era lighthouses in the world, and the tallest and most complete standing Roman structure in England. It is also claimed to be Britain's oldest standing building.
Built in the early 2nd century, the 5-level 8-sided tower was made of layers of tufa, Kentish ragstone, and red bricks. The castle lighthouse survived after being converted into a belfry in the Saxon era, having a new upper layer added, and was partially renovated in 1913-1915. The remains of the other are located on the opposing Western Heights, across the town of Dover. After the Battle of Hastings in October 1066, William the Conqueror a
It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the Key to England due to its defensive significance throughout history. Some sources say it is the largest castle in England, a title also claimed by Windsor Castle.
This site may have been fortified with earthworks in the Iron Age or earlier, before the Romans invaded in AD 43. This is suggested on the basis of the unusual pattern of the earthworks which does not seem to be a perfect fit for the medieval castle. Excavations have provided evidence of Iron Age occupation within the locality of the castle, but it is not certain whether this is associated with the hillfort.
The site also contains one of Dover's two Roman lighthouses, one of only three surviving Roman-era lighthouses in the world, and the tallest and most complete standing Roman structure in England. It is also claimed to be Britain's oldest standing building.
Built in the early 2nd century, the 5-level 8-sided tower was made of layers of tufa, Kentish ragstone, and red bricks. The castle lighthouse survived after being converted into a belfry in the Saxon era, having a new upper layer added, and was partially renovated in 1913-1915. The remains of the other are located on the opposing Western Heights, across the town of Dover. After the Battle of Hastings in October 1066, William the Conqueror a
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