January 1193. Take away the buildings, the highways, the power lines and imagine how Dover might have appeared to Sir Henry and Sir Stephan as they sailed into the harbor. Their first sighting of England would have been the magnificent White Cliffs.
The keep of Dover Castle would have been prominent atop the Cliffs…
Construction on Dover Castle was begun in the 1180s during the reign of Richard the Lionheart’s father, Henry II. Henry & Stephan didn’t pop in for a visit on their return from the Holy Land that January. They were on an urgent mission that you will read about in Battle Scars.
On my recent trip, we got no closer to the castle than my fictional knights. We had a tour guide attempting to keep us on schedule. Dover Castle actually wasn’t on our itinerary, which is a real shame. I’m sorry I missed seeing it up close and personal. I’ll have to be satisfied and drool over these spectacular pictures from other photographers.
Advice to other travelers: when you see the tour offer for Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and the White Cliffs in one day, forget it. It’s far too rushed.
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