Tonbridge Castle Protecting a crossing within the River Medway, the key castle of Tonbridge began by Richard Fitz Gilbert. It been around by 1088, when Rufus stormed the castle with the aid of a local British military elevated to quell the rebellion of Bishop Odo of Bayeux. Despite his participation within this revolt, Fitz Gilbert maintained possession. The castle is definitely an impressive illustration of a Norman motte and bailey - a layout strangely enough rare in Kent. On the top from the great motte would be the lower courses of the round spend keep. The bailey curtain dates from thirteenth century, most likely from the moment from the earlier Gilbert p Clare or his boy, Richard. Because of later stone slowly destroying, it's now very ruinous and no flanking towers survive. The curtain is better maintained where it overlooks the forest, four latrine chutes showing that residential structures once was here. The Red-colored Earl's gate house, by comparison, continues to be an imposing structure. Recently built-in 1275, when Edward I visited the castle, the gatehouse is definitely an outstanding illustration of Edwardian military architecture. Massive U-fronted towers, rising from square bases, flank the lengthy entrance passage, that was protected by two portcullises, two pairs of gates and three rows of murder holes within the vault. Circular stair turrets clasp the trunk corners. Your building is really a classic illustration of a keep-gate house, that could be defended individually when the relaxation from the castle fell. Therefore, the inner gates barred access in the bailey and portcullises sealed off the doorways resulting in the curtain wall walks. A hall occupied the entire second floor from the gatehouse. This awkward arrangement was necessary, because the chamber immediately within the gate passage could be clogged with drawbridge and portcullia winding gear. An 18th century house stands near the gatehouse.