Historic England
Tonbridge Castle, in Kent, was originally a motte and bailey castle erected by the Normans shortly after their invasion of England in 1066. It was built on land given by William the Conqueror to his kinsman Richard Fitzgilbert, and was initially a simple fort of earth and timber.[1][2] The castle and the adjoining mansion were designated Grade I listed buildings
Structure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1950.[3]
The earliest mention of Tonbridge Castle appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. In an entry of 1088 it recounts a storming of the castle by Englishmen in support of King William II. The castle was defended by knights of the rebellious Bishop Odo, who claimed that Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, was the rightful heir to the throne of England.[4]
Richard Fitzgilbert’s descendents gradually replaced the earth and timber structure with stone. Their final castle had a 13th-century curtain wall, in places almost three metres (10 ft) thick, and a “noble” square gatehouse built in 1230–1260, with four circular towers at each corner.[1] The castle was unoccupied from 1521,[5] until it was strengthened and garrisoned by parliamentary forces during the English Civil War (1642–1651). It was subsequently ordered to be put beyond further military use and its defences dismantled.[1]
The L-shaped house to the east of the gatehouse was built in 1793, using ashlar
Masonry of squared and finely cut or worked stone, commonly used for the facing of a building. stone taken from various parts of the castle.[3] After Tonbridge Urban District Council bought the site in 1899, the residence became the council chamber and offices.[1]
