Monument record TR 34 SW 2539 - Former site of gateway on the northern side of the Contables Gate Barbican at Dover Castle

Summary

During excavations undertaken in 1967 within the barbican outside Constables Gate at Dover Castle, the footings of a former gateway to the barbican were uncovered on its northern side. The date of this date is not clear but is is of a possible early post medieval/Turdor Date. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on availabel information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 3234 4195 (7m by 2m) (2 map features)
Map sheet TR34SW
County KENT
District DOVER, KENT
Civil Parish DOVER, DOVER, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The works of 1967 involved the removal of much of the upper filling between the retaining walls for the insertions of reinforced binders. The northern gate as exposed was not Medieval in date. The bases of the rubble jambs with a considerable internal splay, were laid over the remains of a solid threshold. The hard mixed rubble contained fragments of dark brown red brick, but the ashlar dressings of the doorway had been robbed. An ashlar parapet had been abutted to the jambs at least on the inner face of the ramp. There was nothing to date this plain and utilitarian gateway. It does not appear to be a mid C18th reconstruction and before that the latest considerable works probably date to the Tudor period. The outer splay could in fact be the base of the high stopped moulded outer order from the time of Henry VIII or Elizabeth I from the top of the threshold to present road level was 2.04m of which the first 45cm over the demolition level was black earth with glass and tiles, the rest was chalk capped by beach pebbles . (1)


<1> A. M. Cook, D. C. Mynard, & S. E. Rigold, 1969, Excavations at Dover Castle, Principally in the Inner Bailey A. M. Cook, D. C. Mynard, &S. E. Rigold (Article in serial). SKE52108.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1>XY Article in serial: A. M. Cook, D. C. Mynard, & S. E. Rigold. 1969. Excavations at Dover Castle, Principally in the Inner Bailey A. M. Cook, D. C. Mynard, &S. E. Rigold. Vol 32 Issue 1 PP 54-104. [Mapped feature: #102296 Gate, ]

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Event Boundary: Works at Constables Gate Barbican, Dover Castle (EKE19107)
  • Intrusive Event: Works at Constables Gate Barbican, Dover Castle Trench 2 (EKE19109)

Record last edited

Jul 2 2019 3:13PM