Henry III rebuilding of Dover Castle ; t ypicality and importance

1. Henry III rebuilding of Dover Castle; typicality and importance Key Issue- how did Henry III rebuild Dover and how ‘typical’ was the site STARTER- what changes occurred to the physical site after the 1216 siege? EXTENSION: how did this change the site and who made this change?

2. Homework- due in one week • Using the hand-out: medieval tunnels • Note why the medieval tunnels were developed and what their purpose were? • Create 2-3 PEE’s to develop your answers (and research extra facts to support)

3. Key words/concepts Henry III- Henry III, the eldest son of King Johnand Isabella of Angouleme , was born on 1st October, 1207 at Winchester. A grandson of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, he was also the great-great-grandson of Louis VI of France. He succeeded his unpopular father at the age of nine, to a kingdom in a state of anarchy. Tower of London- a historic fortress in London, England: originally a royal palace, later a prison, now an arsenal and museum

4. Your task • Henry III authorised Dover Castle to be repaired and redesigned under the watch of Hubert De Burgh 1217-1221. Read the hand-out and answer the questions on the sheet.

5. Henry III King of England Hubert De Burgh (Constable of Dover Castle)

6. Constables gate Concentric Walls Medieval Tunnels

7. Developments after the siege • Constables gate – New entrance with moat below; Drawbridge and 5 towers for protection (flanking); Constables residence • Concentric walls – One circle inside another. Described as a castle inside a castle. Protection feature • Medieval tunnels – Linked to the outer Spur. De Burgh constructed these tunnels. Built to delay attacks so people could get to newly built St.John’s Towers and control the high ground.

8. Henry III and the Tower of London • Henry III did a great deal to transform The Tower of London into what we see today. He improved and expanded the royal palace, building beautifully decorated lodgings for himself and his queen. He also vastly improved the castle’s defences. Much of the first stone curtain wall was built in his reign. • Henry did not spend a great deal of time at Dover – he stayed only 11 times in 56 years. Although it was important that the Tower was fit for a king, it was not a favourite residence. • Henry III of Englandusedthe Tower of London as hismain royal residence. Itwasthe royal palaceduring more than 400 years. • During his reign, lions, a polar bear and an elephant were kept at the Tower, all diplomatic gifts from other rulers. 

9. Is the structure and architecture of the Tower of London similar to Dover?

10. The White Tower vs. the Great Keep at Dover

11. Which was more important? • However he spent far more money, resources and time in rebuilding Dover due to the threat of French invasion as they had done in the 1216 siege. • Also the fact Dover withheld the siege showed its strength, importance and endurance. • Henry III spend very little rebuilding castles. The fact he invested heavily is therefore surely a symbol of its importance- do you agree?

12. Mini-Plenary: Your task Plan out your answer to this question • ‘What does your site reveal about the people at the time in which it was created and/or developed?’

13. Dover Castle- the lock and key to the Kingdom? Does the content of todays lesson agree or disagree to this view? Be prepared to discuss. Agree Disagree

14. 20 mark question- exam corner Q2. What challenges are there when trying to understand the appearance of your site when it was first created and how could someone overcome these challenges? Use physical features of the site as well as your knowledge to support your answer. (20 marks) Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5] Structure guidance: Intro: overview of the main challenges P1: Focus on explaining the site when it was first created and the physical features evident P2: Explain how it has changed overtime and the challenges faced e.g. rebuilding programmes, destruction/survival and how this is a challenge when trying to understand the site P3: Typicality of the site in terms of its challenge in understanding its appearance(first concentric style etc.) Conclusion- what was the main challenge and how was it overcome (your overall judgement)

15. Overview of Q2- what you need to do The response should focus on the challenge in studying the historic environment posed by trying to understand the appearance of their site when it was first created, and how other aspects of knowledge and understanding about the site, including its physical features, can help overcome this challenge. In considering the challenges, responses may discuss how the site has changed over time and the reasons for these changes in terms of differences between how the site would have looked then and how it looks now. The physical remains may be considered in terms of significance of particular features, which might be treated as a challenge or way of overcoming challenge depending on survival. Their value in terms of interpreting how the site would originally have appeared is likely to be assessed. Typicality of the site might likewise be seen as helpful, or as adding to the challenge, depending on how far other surviving sites might help in understanding the appearance of their site. Responses may also draw on aspects of other criteria and these should be credited in line with the levels, if used appropriately to address the question.