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Rochester
Timeline
1066 First castle built at Rochester
The first timber castle is built at Rochester soon after the Norman
invasion of England by William
the Conqueror.
1086 Castle mentioned in Domesday Book
Rochester castle is mentioned in the Domesday
Book.
1087-9 Stone castle built at Rochester
Timber castle rebuilt in stone (with the exception of the keep) for William
Rufus by the great medieval builder Gundulf, bishop of Rochester.
1088 The first siege at Rochester Castle.
Rochester castle was fortified against William
Rufus by Odo, the quarrelsome bishop Bayeux and Earl of Kent. The
problem arises because William
the Conqueror, who dies in 1087, leaves Normandy to his eldest son
Robert and England to his second son William Rufus. Odo leads a conspiracy to
put Robert on the English throne but is besieged at Rochester by William Rufus's
army. Plagued by disease, the garrison soon makes terms, and Odo goes into exile.
1127 Building of keep begins
The building of the keep – a stronghold in the shape of a square tower –
at Rochester castle begins.
1215 King John's siege
King John besieges Rochester castle – which is held by rebel barons –
during October and November. After a dramatic seven week siege, he finally undermines
its walls by collapsing a tunnel beneath them.
1220s Henry III repairs Rochester castle
Henry
III, King John's son, repairs the damage to the castle, replacing the fallen
square tower of the keep with the rounded one we see today.
1264 Rochester castle attacked
Rochester receives another battering, this time during the civil
war between Henry
III and Simon
de Montfort. Held by supporters of Henry III, it is attacked by two
rebel armies. The outside wall is breached again, but the keep is saved by the
arrival of a relieving royalist force.
1367-83 Rochester castle repaired
Edward
III makes repairs to the castle in response to the growing threat
of French raiding parties during the Hundred
Years War. By 1400, the castle had once again attained its maximum
defensive capability.
c1500-c1600 Rochester castle neglected
After the arrival of the Tudor
dynasty, Rochester castle falls into neglect as Henry
VII forbids his nobles from having private armies or private castles.
A domestic fire destroys the interior of the keep.
1870 Rochester castle grounds leased
Rochester Castle grounds are leased to the City of Rochester and turned into a
public pleasure garden.
1884 Rochester castle sold
Rochester castle is purchased by the City of Rochester for £6,572.
1984 English Heritage steps in
English Heritage takes over responsibility for the site..
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