Recognising Tonbridge Recognised

Recognising Tonbridge Feature

I'm not entirely sure who recognised the exact spot where the above mystery Recognising Tonbridge is actually placed, but I do now know that there is a confusion between the mound and the motte. It seems that we all locate areas of the castle by different names, but all those who used either motte or mound could be identifying the correct and identical place. To ease confusion the dial presented to the town by the Rotary is located in the Castle Lawn area and overlooking Big Bridge. It shows the direction of a number places well known to locals.

I'll have a go at explaining the different names and locations.

Tonbridge Castle is in fact a Motte and Bailey design. The Motte is what we sometimes call the mound and has a well at the very top. It's the large hill at the side of The Gatehouse (Castle) This is where the first wooden stronghold was built and destroyed by fire in 1088.

The Bailey would have been the area of the Castle Lawn. Originally surrounded by a wall and a ditch and probably housing a number of domestic buildings. It is also suggested that this is a later motte, but to be honest it's just easier to call this the Castle Lawn now.

The sandstone Gatehouse is usually known as the castle, so it can all be very confusing.