Medieval Dover Castle Flashcards
In 1170, what happened to Thomas Becket the Archbishop of Canterbury?
He was murdered by 4 of King Henry II knights in Canterbury cathedral
What did Henry II do to show his repentance for Thomas Beckets murder?
-Made Thomas Becket a saint
-Built a shrine in honour of Thomas Becket in Dover Castle itself that was visited by many pilgrims (religious)
When was Thomas Becket murdered?
1170
What did William I do to Dover following the Norman conquest?
He strengthened Dover as a castle when taking control of England by building an earthwork and timbre castle
How did Henry II remodel the castle in 1180?
He added:
-The great Tower
-Inner Bailey’s wall and towers
-Began the outer baileys
How did Henry II use The Great Tower?
Henry II used The Great Tower as a royal residence to entertain important guests as well as a strong, final refuge in the event of a seige
Who finished the outer baileys in the first half of the 13th century?
King John and his son Henry III completed the outer bailey of walls and towers
What occurred in July 1216 at Dover Castle?
On July 1216 a French army led by Prince Louie besieged the castle, tunnelling beneath the north gatehouse and causing the Norfolk tower to collapse
Was Prince Louie’s besiege on Dover Castle in July 1216 successful?
No the English garrison held out and the fortress resisted 10 months of bombardment by siege, undermining by tunnels and eventually hand to hand combat.
What did Henry III make Hubert de Burgh add to Dover Castle following the besiege by Prince Louie?
Henry III added new gatehouses and a network of tunnels built deep underground to connect the new defences to the rest of the castle
How did the castle change during Tudor period?
Henry VIII added a weathervane with an additional iron crown to impress Anne of Cleaves (who never ended up visiting) and Elizabeth I used the Roman Pharos for gunpowder storage
How would Henry II welcome and impress guests?
Henry II would welcome and impress guests by hosting rand feasts for distinguished visitors including the high ranking pilgrims visiting Thomas Beckets shrine
What were servants experiences of Dover Castle like?
Servants would have lived in considerably less luxury spending the majority of their time working in the kitchens.
How did Hubert de Burgh adapt Dover under King Henry’s command following the first Baron’s war?
-Hubert de Burgh (Constable of Dover) rebuilt the collapsed Norfolk tower
-connected the medical tunnels to the rest of the castle
-built an entrance called Constable Gate which had built in residence for the warden of the cinque ports
Why did Prince Louie attempt to siege and overthrow King John at Dover?
This was due to John’s Barons inviting Prince Louie over to England and stating they would support him as ruler instead of John due to John breaking the rules of the Magna Carter.
How does features of Dover reveal the medieval period was hierarchical?
The great tower shows this:
-kings room at the top of the tower filled with luxury items (armouries, chess sets, hanging paintings and a private bathroom)
-second floor guest rooms with indoor toilets and a banquet hall
-bottom floor kitchens where they prepared elaborate meals and did not have rooms inside the keep
How does features of Dover reveal the medieval period was religious?
-Henry II partly built Dover Castle for pilgrims visiting Thomas Becketts tomb in Canterbury since Henry’s knights had him killed. Pilgrims could stay at Dover on their way and visit the chapel of Thomas Beckett inside the great tower (with stained glass windows and an alter)
-The Church of St Mary in Castro was a place of worship and had modifications like an early English vault and alter recess added
How does features of Dover reveal the medieval period of was militaristic?
-King John spent £1000 completing the outer curtain walls
-when the castle was besieged by King Louie in 1216-1217 during Johns reign, the Norfolk tower collapsed when the castle was undermined. This undermining was adapted by Hubert de Burgh into the medical tunnels
