The inner bailey is the heart of the early medieval castle as constructed in the reign of Henry II (1154-1189), and has preserved much of its curtain walls, towers and gates to a remarkable degree. The King’s Gate was the principal entry from the former north gate into the castle.

The sequence of development is best known from contemporary documentary sources, which record the construction of the inner bailey curtain in the 1185-6. The gate was modernised, and provided with a lifting bridge in the 1850s. In common with Palace Gate, the King’s Gate was placed between two closely-spaced towers that greatly increase the level of protection and reduce the vulnerability of the gates. The two towers that form part of King’s Gate early on were used for accommodation, their two storey interiors overlooking the inner courtyard. Both were extensively modernised in the 19th century. They nonetheless retain a number of early features within their medieval walls, including the triple-loops overlooking the barbican. The existing lifting-bridge, worked on a counterpoise system with the upper-hung or falling gate, dates from the 1850s. It is assumed that the small bridge-pit in front of the gateway likewise dates in its present form from the mid-19th century remodelling. (summarised from sources) (1-3)

<1> English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document). SKE52105.

<2> Johnathan Coad, 1995, English Heritage Book of Dover Castle and the Defences of Dover (Monograph). SKE52106.

<3> English Heritage, 2010, Inner Bailey, Dover Castle, Kent; Historic Buildings Report (Unpublished document). SKE31743.