Medieval Dover Castle in Dover, Kent, England was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history. In 1216, a group of rebel barons, dissatisfied with King John invited the future Louis VIII of France to come and take the English crown. Louis needed to sieze the castle and the first siege began on 19 July. Louis took the high ground to the north Hubert de Burgh's garrison of men repelled the invaders, blocking the breach in the walls with giant timbers. After three months Louis called a truce on 14 October.
Dover Castle is a medieval castle in Dover, Kent, England. It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history. In 1216, a group of rebel barons, dissatisfied with King John invited the future Louis VIII of France to come and take the English crown. Meanwhile Louis's father taunted his son for trying to conquer England without first seizing its key: Dover. The royal castles at Canterbury and Rochester, their towns, and indeed, most of Kent had already fallen to Louis. The first siege began on 19 July, with Louis taking the high ground to the north of the castle. His men successfully undermined the barbican and attempted to topple the castle gate, but its constable, Hubert de Burgh, had a well-supplied garrison of men and managed to repel the invaders, blocking the breach in the walls with giant timbers. After three months spent besieging the castle, and with a large part of his forces diverted by the siege, Louis called a truce on 14 October and soon after returned to London.
Size: 3681px × 4598px
Location: Dover Castle, Castle Hill Road, Dover, UK
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 11th, 13th, 19th, antiquarian, antiquity, architecture, army, art, battlements, black, burgh, bygone, cannon, cannons, castle, century, constable, de, dover, drawing, england, english, engraving, etching, fortification, fortress, graphic, heritage, historic, history, hubert, icon, iconic, illustration, kent, key, king, line, lithograph, louis, marching, medieval, military, monochrome, norman, pictorial, picture, rebellion, sketch, soldier, soldiers, troops, viii, walls, white, woodcut
