The Palace Gate, which is part of the original medieval (1180’s) construction and is located on the south eastern side of the inner bailey, was the principal entry to the inner bailey from the barbican in the middle bailey. The gate was modernised, and the lifting bridge was added in the 1850s.

In common with the King’s Gate, the Palace Gate was placed between two closely-spaced towers that greatly increase the level of protection and reduce the vulnerability of the gates. Only the western side of the gate functioned as a gate tower with a porter’s lodge and a loop overlooking the approach, while the eastern gate was one of the mural towers with no openings towards the gate. The gate itself dates entirely from the final military modernisations of the 1850s, and the existing lifting-bridge, worked on a counterpoise system with the upper-hung or falling gate, dates from the 1850s. The Palace Gate once led into a now-destroyed southern barbican. (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 English Heritage, 2014, Dover Castle Conservation Management Plan Volume 2 Gazetteer (Unpublished document).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> John Bereblock, 1570, John Bereblock's view of Dover Castle (Cartographic materials). SKE52107.