What historical facts do you have on Rochester castle?

Rochester Castle is a 12th-century Norman castle in Rochester, Kent, England. It was built by Bishop Gundulf of Rochester on the site of a previous Saxon fort, and was one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of England.

* The castle played a prominent role in the First Barons' War. In 1215, King John besieged the castle, which was held by a rebel baron, William de Albini. The siege lasted for two months before the castle surrendered.

* During the Hundred Years' War, Rochester Castle was attacked several times by the French. In 1380, the castle was captured by the French and held for several months before being recaptured by the English.

* The castle was extensively damaged during the English Civil War. In 1648, the castle was besieged by Parliamentary forces and eventually surrendered. The castle was demolished by order of Parliament in 1661.

* In the 19th century, the ruins of Rochester Castle were excavated and restored. The castle is now open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction.

Here are some additional historical facts about Rochester Castle:

* The castle was built using local ragstone, which is a type of limestone. The walls of the castle are up to 12 feet thick in some places.

* The castle has a keep, which is a large, central tower. The keep is 113 feet high and has four stories.

* The castle also has a great hall, which was used for banquets and other important events. The great hall is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide.

* The castle is surrounded by a moat, which is a deep, wide ditch filled with water. The moat was used to protect the castle from attack.

* The castle has been used as a setting for several films and television shows, including "The Last Kingdom" and "The Crown".