English Heritage

7th CenturyMinster Church

Eadbald, King of Kent, founds a minster church for 22 monks in the 'castrum' of Dover - either the Roman fort in the town or the hillfort on the headland.

10th-Early 11th CenturySt Mary's Church

The church of St Mary in Castro is built beside the lighthouse.

1066Norman Castle

William the Conqueror defeats King Harold, then turns to Dover. He takes the town, burns it, and builds fortifications there, before heading to London for his coronation.

Find out more about the history of Dover Castle

1180-89The Castle Rebuilt

Henry II rebuilds Dover Castle, spending vast sums on it. It is the most expensive castle project of its time.

1205-15First Royal Fleet

King John establishes the first royal fleet and completes the castle's outer defences.

1216-17Great Siege

After King John reneges on Magna Carta, Prince Louis of France invades England and besieges Dover Castle. It is successfully defended by a few hundred men.

1217-56The Castle Completed

Under Henry III, enormous sums are spent strengthening Dover, making it one of the largest and most strategically important castles in England.

1263-65De Montfort's Dover

Simon de Montfort challenges Henry III's government and captures Dover Castle. The future Edward I is briefly held prisoner here.

1265Countess Eleanor de Montfort

After de Montfort is killed in battle his wife, Eleanor, leads the defence of Dover, holding out with 29 archers. She is forced to surrender to Prince Edward when he brings troops from London.

1520Fit for an Emperor

On 25 May the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, arrives at Dover for a meeting with Henry VIII. The emperor probably stays in the great tower.

1625-6Castle in Decline

Henrietta Maria, the teenage French princess, occupies the castle but is said to be 'poorly accommodated'. It is later refurbished by George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

1642Civil War

The garrison of 20 remains loyal to Charles I. A daring merchant called Drake and 11 men scale the cliffs and take the castle for Parliament, with few shots fired.

18th CenturyExpert Defences

England faces the threat of French invasion, so the defences are upgraded.

1793-1815Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Huge sums are spent on the town and castle defences. Barracks are constructed in a complex of tunnels beneath the castle.

1850sAnother Napoleon

Major renovations take place again with the threat of invasion from Napoleon III.

1890sHistorical Appreciation

The top floor of the Great Tower is furnished with displays of armour and opened to the public.

1904State Care

The church of St Mary in Castro, Roman lighthouse and Colton's Gate are transferred to the Ancient Monuments Branch of the Ministry of Works.

1939-45Second World War

The Napoleonic tunnels have a new role as naval and later combined services headquarters, where the Dunkirk evacuation is masterminded. Air attacks earn the area around Dover the nickname 'Hellfire Corner'.

1956End of Military Use

The castle's last gun batteries are scrapped.

1962-1980sFinal Secret

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, the tunnels are renovated and equipped to serve as one of 12 regional seats of government in the event of nuclear war.

1963Care of the Nation

The castle is transferred to the Ministry of Works for preservation as an Ancient Monument.

Learn more about the history of Dover Castle