Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The curtain wall surrounding the inner bailey of Dover castle is part of the earliest Medieval works at the castle and though they were altered in the 18th and 19th centuries, much of the medieval material and their essential character has been preserved. The east curtain extends from the north-east corner tower to the south-east corner tower, and has four mural towers. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• CURTAIN WALL (Medieval to Modern - 1181 AD to 2050 AD)
• TOWER (Medieval to Modern - 1181 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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The curtain wall surrounding the inner bailey of Dover castle is part of the earliest Medieval works at the castle and though they were altered in the 18th and 19th centuries, much of the medieval material and their essential character has been preserved. The east curtain extends from the north-east corner tower to the south-east corner tower and has four mural towers.

Originally the four mural towers were open backed, and as illustrated by Bereblock in the 1560s the walls were crenellated, but these were removed when the parapets were reformed. Externally the walls and towers have a battered base, and seem largely devoid of original openings except for garderobe drains in the sides of the first and third towers. There is a vertical seam of ashlar masonry where the wall changes direction between the second and third mural towers, and two seams on the corner between the third and fourth towers. Between the first and second towers there is a medieval addition (dated to the reign of Henry III (1216-1277) that appears to be a postern gate opposite the Fitzwilliam Gate. There are numerous post-medieval window openings from the barrack blocks, especially in the southern end of the wall. The entire parapet and tower tops are levelled and there is a wall walk behind the barrack roofs. (summarised from sources) (1-3)

<1> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

<2> Johnathan Coad, 1995, English Heritage Book of Dover Castle and the Defences of Dover (Monograph). SKE52106.

<3> John Bereblock, 1570, John Bereblock's view of Dover Castle (Cartographic materials). SKE52107.

Sources and further reading

Related records