13/06/2021
ROCHESTER CASTLE, ROCHESTER, KENT.
The original timber and earthwork structure was constructed shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as it marked an important strategical site, protecting the south east coast from invasion. In addition to being an oppressive sign to the natives who were now under the thumb of their Northern French victors. At the time, most of the surrounding buildings were one storey high, while this stood out like a skyscraper in a village, towering over everything else. It was one of the first castles to be built and closely resembles its more famous cousin, The White Tower at the Tower of London which itself dates to approximately twenty years later.
During the reign of Plantagenet King John, between October and December 1215, the castle was laid siege to. Shortly prior, a collection of people rose up against his tyrannical rule and now some hid out at Rochester Castle. In order to bring the castle, and its occupants, to its knees, John ordered that the fat of "40 pigs too fat to eat" be burnt, destroying the south eastern corner of the Keep. The rebels later surrendered due to starvation. The damage wrought upon the castle was later repaired by his son, King Henry III.
The castle escaped further action during the English Civil Wars. Nevertheless, damage was still inflicted when a large fire gutted the keep. It was later repaired during the Georgian era.
During the reign of Queen Victoria, control of the castle was leased from familial control to Rochester Corporation. They relinquished ownership to the public in 1870, with further repairs following shortly after. Then, in 1984, it passed in the hands of English Heritage, where it remains to this day, while Medway Council manages both castle and grounds.
