In the British Isles there are evidences of castles or rude fortifications dating from the i days of the Roman conquest. It is, however, from the days of William the Conqueror that the castle as we know it took its rise, as this monarch, familiar with feudal and state forti fications on the Continent, found such of the greatest utility in maintaining Norman suprem acy over the English .barons. As to the archi tecture of British castles, they combined all styles used on the Continent with a purely English form that differentiates them from others. But the principles of fortification were the same.
On the eastern limits of the town of Dover there stands to-day the Castle, the modern fortification standing on the site of the original Dover Castle, the "Key to England.* The remains of the original, altered by the vicissi tudes of time and civil and foreign wars, have been incorporated in the present fortress. Within sight of Calais, the nearest and most formidable foreign enemy, it was constructed on a hill 320 feet high, and was fitted to with stand long sieges, the necessity for which was frequently proved. At York, one of the most ancient cities in the kingdom, and the reputed birthplace of the Emperor Constantine, there are many relics of the Roman occupation of England, the most interesting being the Mult angular Tower. This tower is 30 feet in diam eter in the interior, and was originally of a 13-sided form, 10 of the 13 walls still remain ing. Of the remains of the Middle Ages, the castle still stands, and within its walls are at present the law courts and jail. The donjon, known as Clifford's Tower, is intact. Of other remains of the feudal days are portions of the ancient walls, beyond which the city has ex tended. The gates, known as °bars,* are an interesting feature found in many .English cities They are usually towered and em battled, with portholes, and locations on the streets that they cross are usually spoken of as below or above the bar. Other castles are found in the neighborhood of York, among them being Pontefract Castle, where Richard II was murdered, and Conisborough Castle, near Doncaster. At Durham is the ancient Norman Castle founded by William the Con queror, and now in possession of the university.
Near Newcastle-on-Tyne is Alnwick Castle (11th century), occupied continuously from the 14th century by the Percy family. Formerly
i an important border fortress, it is noted in England as being one of the finest examples of feudal dwellings in the kingdom, and with modern restorations it is in a perfect state of It covers five acres o'f ground. Malcolm, King of Scotland, and his son, Prince Edward, were killed here in 1094, and in 1174, while besieging the castle, William the Lion was taken prisoner. Near Alnwick Castle is the ruin of Warkworth Castle, and a few miles away on the sea shore is the recently restored Bamborough Castle, standing on a rock 150 feet high. It was a Saxon fortress, built in the 7th century. Near it is the ruined Castle of Lindisfarne, referred to by Sir Walter Scott in At Rochester on the river Medway is the ruins of one of the finest castles in England. The walls and the donjon are in almost per fect condition. At the town of Newport is the ruins of Carisbrook Castle, the donjon of which is supposed to have been a Saxon strong hold. The tower, ivy covered, reaches high above the rest of the structure. The outer walls of the castle enclosed about 20 acres. The ancient well, 240 feet deep, is still in use. It was here that Charles I was a prisoner in 1647. At Kenilworth is a noted castle, made famous by Sir Walter Scott. The ruins are extensive and picturesque. It was the strong hold of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the insurgent barons during the reign of Henry III, and was likewise the abode of Robert Dudley, the favorite of Queen Eliza beth. Its donjon is known as Caesar's Tower, and is the most ancient portion of the castle. Its walls in places are 16 feet thick. The remains of the banquet hall, 86 by 45 feet, are still to be seen. Near the borough of Grantham is Belvoir Castle, the magnificent manor house of the Duke of Rutland, with one of the best collections of paintings in the kingdom, and furnishings of ducal splendor.
i At Rochester is the remains of a castle notable in English history, the keep still standing, 104 feet high. At Norwich is a castle architectur ally known for its ornately designed arches. The castle in which Edward II was murdered is still seen at Berkeley, occupied by the de scendants of the family that then possessed it.