Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Traces of a small rectangular wall tower, Tower 23, can be seen in the ground to thew south of St. Mildred's Churchyard. The tower was built during the late 14th century, c.1380-1390, at a time when the earlier Roman defesive walls, which had deteriorated, were being rebuilt.

Monument Types

• TOWER (Medieval - 1301 AD? to 1400 AD?)

Full description

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Nearly all of the Roman and Medieval defensive works between Worthgate and London Gate (including the Gates) have been destroyed and removed but for sections of foundations. The walls originally of 3rd century Roman origin, were rebuilt or substantially repaired during the medieval period c. 1380-1390 when a threat of invasion by the French seemed probable during the Hundred Years War. The walls here were still standing when Parlimentary troops pulled parts down during the Civil War. Since then the stones were gradually removed and used for building materials elsewhere in the city. Large sections of wall were taken down in the 1800's and the materials sold in an attempt to defray the cost of the demolition of the city gates and other municipal projects. Low sections do survive however closer to the Castle.

Traces of a small rectangular wall tower, Tower 23, can be seen in the ground to thew south of St. Mildred's Churchyard. The tower was built during the late 14th century, c.1380-1390, at a time when the earlier Roman defesive walls, which had deteriorated, were being rebuilt.

Frere, SS, Stow, S, and Bennett, P, 1982, Excavations on the Roman and Medieval Defences of Canterbury. (Monograph). SKE28530.

Sources and further reading