Situated at a strategic location on the river Medway in Kent, Rochester castle was an early Norman motte and bailey castle built not long after the Conquest. The stone castle was built between 1087 and 1089CE. The large keep, which dominates the castle ruins today, was built in the 12th century after King Henry had granted the castle to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The castle saw action a number of times in the Medieval period, including the First Barons War, the castle being besieged by King John. The last time the castle saw action was in 1381 during the Peasants' Revolt when it was captured and ransacked.
The castle decayed over the following centuries, parts of it being taken for re-use in buildings elsewhere. The castle was opened to the public in 1870 and since then has seen some restoration.
