The Spur, Dover Castle, Kent: Architectural Investigation Report
Author(s): Allan Brodie, Geraint Franklin
The Spur at the north-west tip of Dover Castle was created in the 1220s to remedy weaknesses in the defences highlighted by the sieges of 1216 and 1217. The site of the original castle gate was reconstructed as the Norfolk Towers and a tunnel was excavated linking this structure to St John’s Tower, which was constructed in the ditch below. Beyond this tower, a masonry bridge gave access to three tunnels set within a bulbous earthwork known as the Spur. The outworks were designed to allow defending soldiers to sally forth to harass besieging forces. Small towers may have been constructed at the ends of these tunnels. The complex underwent repairs and possibly adaptations in the 1580s. Further alterations took place in the 1750s, particularly the reshaping of the Spur earthwork. At the turn of the 19th century, the Spur was again remodelled and a redan constructed above it. The casemated wing caponiers and the counterscarp galleries of the redan also belong to this phase. The bridge was transformed into a caponier and a separate passage to the Spur was created beneath it. The entrance to the northern defences from the outer bailey was reconfigured.
- Report Number:
- 66/2022
- Series:
- Research Report
- Pages:
- 67
- Keywords:
- Standing Building Standing Structure Castle Architectural Investigation
