teaching stuff

The Siege of 1215.

 

During the Revolt of the Barons.

 

Rochester was held by William de Albini against King John.

 

King John arrives quickly and does not have time to get supplies into the castle.

 

11 October the siege begins.

 

King John uses stone throwing machines to attack the curtain walls of the castle.

 

Archers are also used to attack those men who are defending the castle.

 

The throwing of the stones at the walls had little effect.

 

Undermining used to attack the walls of the castle.

 

Undermining of the castle walls allows the Kings forces into the bailey.

 

The rebels retreat into the keep.

 

The keep still does not break down from the stone throwing machines.

 

Undermining started on the keep.

 

25 November King John orders the delivery of “forty of the fattest pigs of the sort least good for eating to bring fire beneath the tower.”

 

The Keep falls to King John and the rebels retreat further into the keep behind the wall that splits the keep in two.

 

The rebels only hold out for a further five days and surrender on the 30 November.

 

 

Defensive improvements 1220-1260

 

Deep ditches are dug outside the curtain walls of the castle.

 

The curtain wall is strengthened.

 

Drum tower is built to replace the tower in the curtain wall undermined by King John.

 

Drum tower is circular in structure to give greater strength and help in resisting undermining.

 

An inner bailey wall is constructed that splits the bailey in two.

 

 

 

Siege of
Rochester 1088

 

Odo of Bayeux holds
Rochester against King William Rufus.

 

Two siege castles are built to prevent exit from
Rochester.

 

Forced surrender of
Rochester due to heat, flies and disease.

 

 

 

 

Improvements after 1088.

 

 

Built by Gundulf Bishop of
Rochester.

 

A Motte and Bailey type castle.

 

Built on the existing defences but with an added ditch before the ramparts.

 

1127 King Henry I orders the building of a stone keep.

 

Present stone Keep built by William de Corbeil.