Tonbridge Castle

[John]

A Norman castle was erected at this site, a simple Motte-and-bailey affair, to dominate a crossing point for the River Medway. In 1088, the de Clare family (descendents of Fitz Gilbert) rebelled against the King and they were besieged in the castle - after holding out 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 stone shell keep. This was reinforced during the thirteenth century, and in 1295 a stone wall was built around the town.
 
The twin towered gatehouse was built under the instruction of Richard de Clare, sixth Earl of Hertford. Construction of the gatehouse took 30 years, being completed in 1260. The castle wasprobably unoccupied between 1521 and the late 18th century, except for a short period during the civil war. Tonbridge castle was purchased by the local council in 1900, who now use the mansion as offices. The grounds are now a public park.

[John]

An old postcard of the gatehouse at Tonbridge Castle..

[John]

Four photographs of the Gatehouse at Tonbridge Castle, 1930's..

[John]

A couple of views of the Castle walls in the 1930's..

[John]

From the BBC.

An embankment supporting a Kent castle wall is being secured after it slipped and led to safety fears. The work at Tonbridge Castle, which dates back to the 11th Century, will see the removal of the upper path, Tonbridge and Malling council said. Planning director Steve Humphrey said the aim was to reinstate the embankment as a simple earth structure, which is how it would have been built. Archaeologists are on site in case anything interesting is found, he said. The work, which started this week and will take about five weeks, is being carried out in conjunction with English Heritage, he added.

After the upper path is removed, people will access the castle grounds by using the lower mote path or the riverbank path, he said. Mr Humphrey said: "These works are essential to ensure the long-term future of this historic site and of course, the safety of the general public."

The work is being timed to avoid events being held at the castle and also wedding ceremonies, and the castle remains open for tours. The embankment supports the East Curtain Wall of the castle.

[cliveh]

The Motte was an earthen mound surmounted by a wooden tower and bailey. To form this and the surrounding moat required the movement of over 50,000 tons of earth.

cliveh