Canterbury Castle by Ashley Holloway

Location

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:21 UTC

Castle St, Canterbury CT1 2PR, United Kingdom

History

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:25 UTC

Canterbury Castle was one of the three original Royal castles of Kent. They were all built soon after the Battle of Hastings on the main Roman road from Dover to London. This was the route taken by William the Conqueror in October 1066, and they were built originally as motte-and-bailey castles to guard this important route.

Fact

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:31 UTC

By the 17th century the castle had fallen into ruin.

Fact

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:34 UTC

The castle saw the first in a long line of historical dramas in 1087.

Fact

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:37 UTC

His new castle at Canterbury is what is now called Dane John, a corruption of the French word for donjon, or keep.

Website

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:41 UTC

http://www.canterbury.co.uk/Canterbury-Canterbury-Norman-Castle/details/?dms=3&venue=3030599

Features

ahol5425 — 2015-09-29 16:11:49 UTC

The builders of the keep walls made heavy use of old Roman tiles and bricks, in addition to local flint. Also note the decorated courses of the walls; these are made from Quarr stone, a distinctive stone from the Isle of Wight. Stores of quarr were depleted by the 12th century and can only be found in early Norman buildings.

Near the southwest corner of the keep is a small section of the 3rd century Roman town wall.

Little remains in the interior, though the foundations of inner chambers can be seen, and the recesses which held the floor timbers. One tower stair still rises to the full height of the castle, allowing excellent views of the interior and across the city.

ahol5425 — 2015-10-19 15:49:19 UTC

ahol5425 — 2015-10-19 15:50:26 UTC