Canterbury Castle
| Canterbury Castle | |
|
Kent | |
|---|---|
 Canterbury Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TR14545744 |
| Location: | 51°16’32"N, 1°4’29"E |
| City: | Canterbury |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Canterbury City Council |
Canterbury Castle is a Norman Castle in Canterbury, Kent, standing in ruin beside the City Wall.
Canterbury was the site of one of the three original Royal castles of Kent – the other two being Rochester Castle and Dover Castle – all built soon after the Battle of Hastings, on the main Roman road from Dover to London: the route taken by William the Conqueror in October 1066. Each was built originally as a motte-and-bailey castle to guard this important route.[1]
Phases
Norman era
A wooden motte and bailey castle were erected in 1066 - its motte may be the mound which is still visible in the Dane John Gardens near the stone castle (which may, in turn, be a Roman burial mound). The name 'Dane John' is a corruption of the Norman word donjon.
Stone castle
The great stone keep was largely constructed in the reign of Henry I as one of three Royal castles in Kent. This massive structure, which has dimensions of about 98 by 85 feet externally at the base, was originally probably at least 80 feet high. It is mainly made of flint and sandstone rubble. By the 13th century, the castle had become the county gaol. It was given up to the invading French in the First Barons' War. In 1380 a new gate was built.[2]
By the 19th century, the castle had been obtained by a gas company and used as a storage centre for gas for many years, during which time the top floor was destroyed.
Tourist attraction
The Castle has been owned by the local authority since 1928.[3] It has been closed because of falling masonry since 2018 and although there were tentative plans for its restoration and reopening in 2021,[4] as of October 2024, it remains closed.
Pictures
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The interior of Canterbury Castle -
The Dane John mound -
Canterbury Castle
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Canterbury Castle) |
- The Royal Castle: Canterbury Trust
- Canterbury Castle: Historic UK
References
- ↑ Canterbury Trust
- ↑ Canterbury Castle 1 canterbury.co.uk
- ↑ "Canterbury Castle" Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS), Retrieved 10 January 2020
- ↑ Wright, Joe. "Canterbury Castle could reopen in 2021", Kent Online, 29 May 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.