Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Gattons Tower, which is located just to the south of Peverells Tower, along the south western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle is one of a series of 13th-century towers dating from the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). It is one of three towers located along this stretch of the curtain wall, all of a similar date and in a similar style. (Say’s and Hurst towers are the other two). All of these have been altered or reduced in height to accommodate later (17th/18th-century) military requirements. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• GARDEROBE (ruined, Medieval to Post Medieval - 1217 AD to 1700 AD?)
• TOWER (Altered, Medieval to Modern - 1217 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Gattons Tower, which is located just to the south of Peverells Tower, along the south western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle is one of a series of 13th-century towers dating from the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). It is one of three towers located along this stretch of the curtain wall, all of a similar date and in a similar style. (Say’s and Hurst towers are the other two). All of these have been altered or reduced in height to accommodate later (17th/18th-century) military requirements.

The plan of the base of the tower is rectangular, reduced to a D-shape at ground level by corner ‘spurs’; it has a rectangular extension on the south side with a batter at the level of the tower spurs. The interior has been infilled to ground level, and the full D-shape of the tower (and the rear wall) is not apparent as in the other towers; the loops visible on its outer face suggest the presence of a lower vaulted chamber. The south extension has the possible remains of a barrel-vaulted garderobe. The parapet has been partly reconstructed with a rounded top, presumably to accommodate post-medieval artillery. (summarised from sources) (1-2)

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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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

Sources and further reading

Related records