Rochester in Medway, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Castle Walls & Defences
Rochester Castle
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 26, 2025
1. The Castle Walls & Defences Marker
Inscription.
The Castle Walls and Defences. Rochester Castle. The first stone castle built on this site in 1088 consisted simply of a high wall enclosing a number of timber buildings. The ruins of this wall remain, along with some of the additions and alterations, which increased its strength and usefulness over the years. Edward III was responsible for many of these, after a series of surveys revealed major defects in the fabric of the 14th century castle. In front of you are some of the results of Edward's work. From 1367-70 his builders reconstructed the 11th century wall here and added two towers. The one nearest the keep stands on earlier (12th century) foundations and straddles the wall. The other was brand new and projects fully out towards the castle ditch. It is also much more elaborate, with internal vaulting and garderobes (latrines). Their filled openings can be seen from the castle ditch.
The first stone castle built on this site in 1088 consisted simply of a high wall enclosing a number of timber buildings. The ruins of this wall remain, along with some of the additions and alterations, which increased its strength and usefulness over the years. Edward III was responsible for many of these, after a series of surveys revealed major defects in the fabric of the 14th century castle. In front of you are some of the results of Edward's work. From 1367-70 his builders reconstructed the 11th century wall here and added two towers. The one nearest the keep stands on earlier (12th century) foundations and straddles the wall. The other was brand new and projects fully out towards the castle ditch. It is also much more elaborate, with internal vaulting and garderobes (latrines). Their filled openings can be seen from the castle ditch.
Erected by English Heritage.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1367.
Location. 51° 23.366′ N, 0° 30.105′ E. Marker is in Rochester, England, in Medway. It can be reached from Rochester Castle east of Castle Gardens, on the right when traveling east. On the grounds of Rochester Castle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rochester Castle, Rochester, England ME1 1SW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text. • Can you help?
