Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Rokesleys tower is the southernmost of five towers located along the south western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle between Peverell’s Tower and Cannons Gate. It was constructed in the C13th after the siege of 1216/1217 but is distinct from the other towers which were constructed in this period in having a D shaped plan without spurs. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• TOWER (Altered, Medieval to Modern - 1217 AD? to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Rokesleys tower is the southernmost of five towers located along the south western outer curtain wall of Dover Castle between Peverell’s Tower and Cannons Gate. It was constructed in the C13th after the siege of 1216/1217 but is distinct from the other towers which were constructed in this period in having a D shaped plan without spurs.

The tower is D shaped with its rear projecting into the bailey. A stone arch formed by two layers of rubble stone in the east wall suggest that initially the rear of the tower was left open. To the north of the tower is a small garderobe with a segmental rubble vault and bolt holes for an inner door. As with the curtain wall, Rokesley’s Tower is constructed of irregular ragstone with additional worked stone dressings. The parapet is of stone and probably a later addition, and this tower may have also been reduced in height. (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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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