- Tonbridge Castle
Tonbridge Castle is situated on Castle Street,
Tonbridge Early history
Following the
Norman Conquest ,Richard Fitz Gilbert was granted land inKent to guard the crossing of theRiver Medway . He erected a simple Motte-and-bailey castle on the site. To dig the moat and erect the motte 50,000 tonnes of earth were moved. In 1088 thede Clare family (descendents of Fitz Gilbert) rebelled against King William II. His army besieged the castle. After holding for two days the castle fell and as punishment the king had both the castle and the town of Tonbridge burnt to the ground. Before 1100, the de Clares replaced the wooden castle with a stoneshell keep . This was reinforced during the thirteenth century, and in 1295 a stone wall was built around the town.Citation | last = Tonbridge Historical Society| first = | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title = The Castle| date = | year = | url = http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/places/the-castle.htm| accessdate = January 2008]The twin towered gatehouse was built by Richard de Clare, sixth Earl of Hertford or his son Gilbert around the middle of the thirteenth century. The gatehouse shares many similarities with the ones at
Caerphilly Castle built by Gilbert in 1268-1271. The great seal of England was temporarily kept here during one of Edwards visits to France.Citation | last = Tonbridge Historical Society| first = | author-link = | last2 = | first2 = | author2-link = | title = The Arms of Tonbridge| date = | year = | url = http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/miscellany/arms.htm| accessdate = January 2008]The mansion was added in 1793.
Modern history
The site was purchased by the local council in 1900, who now use the mansion as offices, and making the grounds a public park.
References
External links
* [http://www.tonbridgecastle.org Official Website]
* [http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/photos/the-castle/slides/6.004a.html 26 historical prints]
* [http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/tonbridge_castle.htm Castle History at "The Heritage Trail"]
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