TimeRef - History Timelines - Rochester Castle

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Rochester Castle was originally a Roman castrum, or military camp. After the Norman Invasion of 1066 a new castle was built on a hill near the site on which the current castle now stands. This early castle would have been a wooden motte and bailey type. In 1088 Rocester Castle came under attack during the conflict between William Rufus and Odo the bishop of Bayeux. In 1087, after William the Conqueror had died, control of Normandy was disputed. Odo, along with many others, supported William's elder brother Robert, Duke of Normandy, while others supported William Rufus, the Conqueror's younger brother. Odo had control of Rochester Castle and it became the headquarters for the rebels. The castle fell to William Rufus' army and Odo was forced into exile. Gundulf, the bishop of Rochester, orchestrated the construction of a stone castle alongside the Norman cathedral. In 1126 the construction of the large keep was begun by William de Corbeil, the Archbishop of Canterbury. At 125 feet high the keep at Rochester is the tallest in England. The keep has a square ground plan and has four corner towers that project slightly. The entrance to the keep is through a fore-building with a drawbridge. Over the centuries the castle was the scene of many conflicts including King John's attempt to regain the castle from the Barons and in 1264 Simon de Montfort's rebellion. It was during King John's siege of the castle that undermining brought down one of the southern corners of the keep. The destroyed corner tower was later rebuilt.

Mini Timeline

1088	May	William puts down the revolt
		Odo was accompanied to Rochester Castle by an escort but When they reached the castle the rebels captured the escort and refused to accept William Rufus as their King. Again William called for the people of England to support him against the rebels and together they lay siege to the castle. Odo surrendered when it was agreed that those in the castle would have their lives spared if the they came out. Odo and the rebels were allowed to leave but their lands in England were taken from them. Odo went into exiled in Normandy.
1126		Construction of Rochester Castle
		The tower-keep at Rochester was built soon after 1126 by the Archbishop of Canterbury with the permission of Henry I.
1141	Nov	Exchange of King Stephen and Gloucester
		Robert, Earl of Gloucester was held captive at Rochester Castle before being exchanged for King Stephen who had been captured earlier in the year at Lincoln.
1216	May 21	Prince Louis of France claims English Throne
		Invited by the barons opposed to king John, Prince Louis of France landed in England to claim the English Throne. Louis captured Rochester Castle after a short siege.
1264		Siege of Rochester Castle
		A force led by Simon de Montfort besieged Rochester Castle for several days but the castle did not fall. He left a small number of men to continue the siege but they were attacked and fled.