Good morning and welcome to the Great Tower in Dover
One of the many properties owned by his grace, King Henry II
The castle has been around for a very long time
Since the time of the first Norman King, William the Conqueror
King Henry II isn't a Norman though, he's an Angevin
The Angevin Empire came immediately after the Norman empire
The King is due for a visit any day now
so I'm ensuring everything is ship shape
But I have some time before I need to continue with my days work
So I'm happy to answer any questions you may have
Who's first?
Hi, I'm Alisha and I'm eight years old
Hello Alisha, what's your question?
What changes did King Henry II make to Dover?
King Henry decided to turn Dover into the most advanced castle design in Europe
including the inner bailey, towers and the Great Tower
This means Dover is widely admired by many of the King's most important visitors
Thank you, Steward. Goodbye.
Thank you for your question, Alisha
It looks like we have someone else joining us
Hello, my name is Francesca
Hello Francesca. What would you like to know?
What's a Steward and what do you do?
Well, as the Lord Steward, I was appointed by the King to oversee
every arrangement to prepare for his arrival
Be that making sure the larder is fully stocked, or that the
hall is ready to receive guests
It's a very important role with a lot of responsibility
I answer only to the King
- Thank you Steward, goodbye - You are most welcome
Now we have another two people joining us. Hello, who are you?
- Hi I'm Brendan and I'm 10 years old - And I'm Callum and I'm 13 years old
Hello boys. What would you like to know?
Why did the Normans build Dover Castle?
Well, the Strait of Dover is the shortest sea crossing between Dover and Europe
so it is important to defend it against invaders
It's also the shortest sea crossing between England and Normandy in northern France
Where does the King sleep?
The King sleeps in his private chamber
with only the most important people allowed inside
but the Chamberlain allows me to go in whenever I need to
Follow me inside, I'll show you
We are now in the most important room in the tower, the King's chamber
He works here, takes his leisure here with a chosen few, and sleeps here.
Fine fabrics and furniture made by the best artisans in Europe
A residence fit for a king, eh boys?
- Yeah, definitely - Thanks Lord Steward
Goodbye boys. Now, who's this?
- Hello, I'm Felicity - Hello Felicity. What would you like to ask?
Where does the King keep all of his wealth at Dover Castle?
The King travels constantly. Many of his precious possessions travel with him too
Some of his very valuable possessions are here already
This is the King's wardrobe for his precious possessions and money
Next door, there's a privy. a private toilet for the King
Thank you for your question. Now, who are you two?
- Hi I'm George - And I'm Hal
What would you like to know?
What does the King have for breakfast?
Concerned with your stomachs, are we? Well follow me down to the kitchens
We're now at the very bottom of the Great Tower
which we use for storage and sometimes as a temporary kitchen
There's a large kitchen outside in the bailey for most people
But this is the King's own private kitchen which we set up specially for these visits
As for breakfast, the King eats whenever he chooses and whatever he chooses
When he wakes, perhaps he may call for a simple dish of bread dipped in wine
Or another time he may request a whole rabbit
A true luxury, even for those well paid such as myself!
- Thank you, Steward. - Goodbye!
Now I really must get on and get to the Great Hall
So if you have any other questions, I'll have to answer them upstairs
Now I have time for one more question before I need to return to my duties
You there - come forward. Introduce yourself
- Hi, I'm Rosie - Hello Rosie, what would you like to to know?
What do you do for fun when you're not working?
Well, there isn't much free time
when we're waiting for the King's arrival or if he's in attendance
as there's always something to organise
There are some games that servants like to play though
Servant boys often play with small animal bones - knuckle bones
And they also cut board games into the kitchen tables
to play Nine Man's Morris or tic tac toe
I wouldn't normally allow it, but if they've done their day's work then I'll turn a blind eye
As for nobles such as our King, chess is a preferred game
As is tables or backgammon. And then there's Checkers or Draughts
- Perhaps you know these games? - Wow, thanks so much Steward
Right, that's enough for today. I really must return to my duties.
Goodbye