Tonbridge Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tonbridge Castle |
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| Kent, England | |
Tonbridge Castle Gatehouse and the mansion (from the south)
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 Tonbridge Castle
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| Coordinates | 51°11′50″N 0°16′20″E / 51.1971°N 0.2721°E |
| Grid reference | grid reference TQ58854666 |
| Type | Motte and bailey, with later shell keep |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | The motte and gatehouse survive |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Battles/wars | De Clare rebellion, 1088 |
Tonbridge Castle is a historic castle located in Tonbridge, Kent, England. This amazing castle dates back to the 13th century and has a rich history, from fierce battles to royal visits. Today, it's a popular place for people to visit and explore.
Contents
Building a Castle: Early Days
After the Norman Conquest of England, a powerful knight named Richard Fitz Gilbert was given land in Kent. His job was to protect an important crossing point over the River Medway. To do this, he built a simple but strong castle.
From Wood to Stone: The Castle's Evolution
The first castle was a "motte-and-bailey" design. This meant it had a large earth mound (the motte) with a wooden tower on top. Below the motte was a walled courtyard (the bailey). To create the motte and moat, an incredible 50,000 tonnes of earth were moved!
In 1088, the de Clare family, who were descendants of Fitz Gilbert, rebelled against King William II. The king's army attacked the castle. After two days, the castle fell, and as punishment, the king ordered both the castle and the town of Tonbridge to be burned down.
But the de Clares didn't give up! Before the year 1100, they rebuilt the castle. This time, they used stone instead of wood. They created a stone "shell keep" on top of the motte. This was like a stone wall built around the top of the mound, protecting the area inside. Later, in the 13th century, the castle was made even stronger. In 1295, a stone wall was built around the entire town of Tonbridge for extra protection.
The Mighty Gatehouse
The most impressive part of Tonbridge Castle today is its huge, twin-towered gatehouse. This gatehouse was started by Richard de Clare, the third Earl of Hertford, or his son Gilbert. It took a very long time to build – about 30 years – and was finally finished in 1260.
The gatehouse at Tonbridge looks a lot like the ones at Caerphilly Castle in Wales. Gilbert de Clare also built Caerphilly Castle between 1268 and 1271. This shows how important and advanced the design of Tonbridge's gatehouse was.
Did you know that the official Great Seal of England was once kept here? This happened when King Edward I visited France and needed a safe place for the seal.
For a long time, between 1521 and the late 1700s, the castle was not lived in. The only exception was a short period during the English Civil War. In 1793, a large mansion was added next to the castle. Both the castle and the mansion are now "Grade I listed" buildings. This means they are very important historical sites and are protected.
Tonbridge Castle Today
In 1900, the local council bought the castle site. They now use the mansion as their offices. The beautiful castle grounds have been turned into a public park, which means everyone can visit and enjoy them.
The castle is also the starting point for a fun 6-mile bike ride called The Tudor Trail. This trail leads to Penshurst Place, another historic site. Tonbridge Castle is a wonderful example of history that you can explore and enjoy today!
See also
