John invested heavily in its defences.
This suggests that John saw Dover as crucial to England’s security, possibly learning from his earlier territorial losses.
5 Matching Annotations
- Feb 2025
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castellogy.com castellogy.com
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John faced a major rebellion in Normandy in 1204 and lost most of his continental possessions.
This highlights King John’s weakness as a ruler—losing Normandy was a huge blow to England’s power in France.
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Dover Harbour was regarded as vulnerable to a land attack by forces that might be landed further along the coast,
Why was Dover considered especially vulnerable? Were there natural weaknesses in its geography, or was it just a key strategic location?
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Fears of an invasion grew in the 1740s, due to the War of the Austrian Succession
The constant fear of invasion shows how unstable Europe was during this period. It seems like coastal defenses had to be constantly upgraded in response to new threats.
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Designed for ceremony as well as warfare, it would impress senior guests with Henry’s royal power and authority.
It’s fascinating that medieval castles were not just military strongholds but also symbols of political power. I wonder how the architectural details reinforced this image.
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