Dane John Mound facts for kids
The Dane John Mound, also known as the Dane John Gardens, is a cool park in Canterbury, Kent. It used to be a Roman burial ground a long, long time ago. Later, it became a special type of castle called a motte-and-bailey castle. Then, between 1790 and 1803, it was turned into the lovely public park you see today.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Roman Beginnings
The very first thing built on the Dane John site was a burial mound. This was during the time when the Romans lived in Canterbury. They were here between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. People were buried here, making it a special place.
A Norman Castle
In 1066, the Normans came to England and took over Canterbury. William the Conqueror, their leader, wanted a castle built in the city. So, they used the Dane John mound to build a motte-and-bailey castle. This castle was made of timber and was part of the city's defenses. Some buildings had to be taken down to make space for it. This timber castle was later left behind. A second, stronger Canterbury Castle was built nearby in 1123.
Becoming a Park
The Dane John Gardens were created between 1790 and 1803. A man named James Simmons, who was an important city official, led this project. He reshaped the old castle mound. He also included parts of the old Roman bank and the medieval city wall-walk in the park's design. Later, a plant expert from Canterbury, William Masters, was given credit for the park's design. There was some disagreement over who owned the land. Soon after the park was finished, the city took control of it.
Modern Times
During the Second World War, a part of the city walls near the Dane John Gardens was used as a place to store ammunition. This storage area was dug into the wall's bank. Today, the gardens are very important. They are listed as a Grade II site on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. This means they have special historical value. The tall monument on top of the mound and the sundial in the park are also Grade II listed.
Images for kids
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Dane John Mound
