5088 x 3692 px | 43,1 x 31,3 cm | 17 x 12,3 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
27 agosto 2017
Ubicazione:
Dover Castle, Castle Hill Road, Dover, United Kingdom
Altre informazioni:
The 12th Century Norman Keep was built in the 1180s with AD 1180-1185 often being the range quoted. The length of the sides and height of the corner towers vary, but the Keep is approximately 100 feet square, over 80 feet high, and has walls up to 21 feet thick. It was designed by Henry II’s architect, 'Maurice the Engineer' (or mason; Latin: Ingeniator). The North Tower and South Tower (or Flag Tower) both have spiral staircases leading from ground level up to the roof; the East Tower and West Tower do not. To the left of the North Tower, and about two-thirds of its height, is the Forebuilding (main entrance), the largest of the period in England. The Keep has three floors (ground, first, and second) that now contain a 2010 English Heritage representation of a medieval Royal Palace and Royal Court. The largest pair of windows - in line with the top of the Forebuilding - are those of the second floor: his tower derived its name, by being built in the centre of the quadrangle (keepyard), which was the Saxon keep, or a place of safety. The foundation of it was laid about the year 1153, according to an ancient chronicle, by the advice of Henry the Second (Curtmantle), son of Henry the First (or Henry I Beauclerc), when he came from Normandy, to the relief of Wallingford castle, not long before he ascended the throne. The architect, in erecting this building, adopted the plan which had been introduced into England by Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, for defending their strong holds. This edifice is still remaining, after a lapse of several centuries; and it has undergone many alterations since it was first built. As the mode of defence has altered in different periods, doors and windows have been added, and enlarged; and as dangers have decreased, conveniences have been sought after, to make the apartments more comfortable.
