My first was built by Gundulf,

I am the tallest in the land,

I fell to King John's pigs,

but continue to stand!

The ancient city of Rochester has a distinguished history which can arguably rival any other in modern Britain. The famous Roman road, Watling Street, crosses the River Medway here on its way from London to Dover via Canterbury, and since that time, Rochester has always been regarded as an important strategic stronghold. However, it's the medieval castle and cathedral which attract the attention of the modern visitor, both built within the old Roman city walls, they have resisted siege and destruction for over 900 years.

 

The first castle was raised here at the time of the Norman Conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. This early fortification was rebuilt for King William Rufus between 1087-89 by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, and was one of the earliest castles in this country to be fortified in stone. Much of the documentation on Rochester survives, along with the many dramatic details of its military history - which saw the castle suffer three major sieges within two centuries of its foundation.

 

Early records suggest that after the conquest, both the City and Castle of Rochester were awarded to the half-brother of King William, Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. The first Norman fortification built here would have been a standard motte and bailey design of timber and earth, and would have almost certainly been erected very soon after the conquest in 1066. Before his disgrace and imprisonment in 1082, Odo was a dominant figure in Norman England and was awarded the earldom of Kent by William after the conquest. He is also said to have been responsible for the making of the Bayeux Tapestry, yet it was Odo who was the principal cause of the first great siege of Rochester Castle in 1088, shortly after his own release from confinement.

 

??????

Have a

Your turn.

There's a famous story about Rochester and King John and forty pigs, I'll find it on line and post the link.

the short version.

http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/england/roc...r/rochester.php

Cool, thanks. Lucky on that one I guess....OK back to the book because it's the only way I can compete.....

 

The Tantallon Castle stands near what lighthouse as testament to to the perils of these waters?

North Sea and its either the lighthouse on Bass Rock or Firda :)

Bass rock is it.....over to you :D

take another shot if you please, more work calls from with out....

The keep at Alcazar Castle in Segovia, Spain has how many turrets?