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Rochester Castle, Medway

William the Conqueror seemed to be well aware of the link between power and religion. Following his invasion of England in 1066 William rebuilt all of the cathedrals and many of the churches. He also replaced many senior churchmen with Normans, and used the English clergy that remained in place as a means of winning over flocks to the new regime. The link between power and religion is well illustrated by Rochester castle in Kent. Bishops often played major military roles, and Bishop Gundulf of Rochester, known to his contemporaries as: "very competent and skillful in building in stone," built the royal castle at Rochester, beside the river Medway. He also built beighbouring Rochester Cathedral, and he is a possible builder of the White Tower at the centre of the Tower of London, and the massive Colchester Castle.

The strong walls of castles are meant to give a line between us and them, and religion is similarly designed to hold people together. However, the walls of castles disguise allegiances which are shifting all the time. The first incarnation of Rochester Castle saw a major battle during the confusion of William the Second's succession to the throne in 1087. Many of the Norman nobles were unhappy with the way the Conqueror had divided up his dominions. They supported the claim of the Conqueror's elder son Robert to the English throne, over that of the younger son William. Rochester became a headquarters for the rebels, who included Odo, bishop of Bayeux amongst them. The younger William marched on Rochester, recruiting Englishmen to his cause as he went. In May 1088 this army of Englishmen and Normans lay siege to the fortifications at Rochester. The defenders soon surrendered, and William secured his crown. It was at this point that bishop Gundulf started building the castle that we see at Rochester today.

Rochester Castle's next siege, two centuries years later, was also the result of national division. King John's high handed behaviour had upset his nobles. The Magna Carta had been signed at Runnymede in May 1215, in an attempt to ensure the rights of the nobles in the face of royal power. King John, however, had no intention of abiding by Magna Carta, and was not happy that Rochester remained under the control of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the prime movers behind the Magna Carta. A rebel force gathered in Rochester Castle, and were only defeated after an intense two month siege, during which the south west tower was undermined and destroyed by fire. This tower was rebuilt and can be identified by its round shape, contrasting with the square shape of the remaining towers.

Once again Rochester had been a place where the marriage between religion and power had been confirmed. The opening clause of the so called "Laws of William the Conqueror," had said: "First above all things he wishes one God to be revered throughout his whole realm, one faith in Christ to be forever inviolate, and peace and security to be preserved between English and Normans." Religion holds people together, but as a consequence a wall is built between us and them. Religion does not promise the harmony inviolate that William desired, since a strongly knit group also creates those who do not belong. The walls at Rochester castle are a physical confirmation of this fact.

Opening Times: From 31st March to 31st October 2008 it is open 10am to 6pm every day and from 1st November to 20th March 2009 it is open 10am to 4pm. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Closed 24th-26th December and 1st January.

Directions: Rochester is just off the A2, near the Rochester/Strood bridge. There is no car park at the castle. Park in Rochester. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Rochester Castle.

Access: only the grounds are accessible to wheelchair users

Contact:

telephone: 01634 402276