Dover Castle
On top of the infamous White Cliffs of Dover at the southern end of England is a fortress that has guarded the English Chanel since the 11th century. High above the sea, the Castle has the advantage of being able to see boats coming from the coast of France (if the weather permits). The Romans built two lighthouses not far from where the current castle stands, and each invading force has seemed to understand the strategy of keeping a fortress in place there. Before the Normans, there was a clay fort that they burned to the ground, and then they rebuilt. King Henry the II added a lot of the construction that is still visible. The main tower is surrounded by a very large wall, which is then again surrounded by a slightly smaller outer wall. Throughout many great European wars, it has been the centre of military planning. During the Napoleonic wars, tunnels were built underground, behind the cliffs themselves, ones that could withstand cannon fire. These tunnels have been used on and off throughout the years but were most famously used during the Battle of Britain during World War Two. When the Allied forces were stranded at Dunkirk, just across the Chanel, the military planned the rescue of nearly 300,000 soldiers from inside the cliffs of Dover. The dark, damp tunnels were a great secret used once again because they were nearly bomb proof and strategically placed.
It was very fun to be able to go into the tunnels and feel like I was a part of history. It was just as interesting to be able to wander the grounds of the castle. The main tower has been restored and is laid out to show what life was life in the middle ages for royalty. Probably the most fun aspect of being able to walk through it was to go to the roof and look out across the city of Dover as well as the ocean. I have learned that the British are very proud of their military heritage, and this fortress has played a pivotal role in that pride. The fact that it has been used in numerous wars for nearly a thousand years is astounding.
Like the Tower of London, Dover Castle stands as a mark of strength. It seems to say "we will never be conquered." The ironic thing is, Britain has been conquered time and again throughout history. Arguably, there is another form of conquering happening by a younger generation, with new ideas, and a newer way of doing business. While London might be open-minded to the very liberal views of the younger generations, I don't know if other areas are. There is a feeling of silent acceptance that with a large influx of immigrants, things will change. What we think of at British today, will no longer be the case in a few years. British identity, I think as history has shown, has taken time to create and is ever changing. Nonetheless, I think the quiet strength of the past will remain part of the new idneitty that is slowly emerging.
My friends and I ended up walking down to the sea-side. I'm not quick to use the term beach because it was really just a bunch of rocks next to the blistering sea. Though there is a flock of seagulls that seem perfectly happy basking on the mass amount of stones that have collected there in many years, the shorefront was scarce of human visitors save my friends and I. From our vantage point, we could kind of make out famous white cliffs through a bypass and several apartment buildings and businesses. The wind was intense and the clouds made it rather cold, but it was an amazing view nonetheless. It was fun to have the "beach" to ourselves, and seeing the sea walk (which was all closed up) was like stepping into a movie. I'd like to experience Dover again, but perhaps when the weather is warmer and the town is a bit more lively.
It was very fun to be able to go into the tunnels and feel like I was a part of history. It was just as interesting to be able to wander the grounds of the castle. The main tower has been restored and is laid out to show what life was life in the middle ages for royalty. Probably the most fun aspect of being able to walk through it was to go to the roof and look out across the city of Dover as well as the ocean. I have learned that the British are very proud of their military heritage, and this fortress has played a pivotal role in that pride. The fact that it has been used in numerous wars for nearly a thousand years is astounding.
Like the Tower of London, Dover Castle stands as a mark of strength. It seems to say "we will never be conquered." The ironic thing is, Britain has been conquered time and again throughout history. Arguably, there is another form of conquering happening by a younger generation, with new ideas, and a newer way of doing business. While London might be open-minded to the very liberal views of the younger generations, I don't know if other areas are. There is a feeling of silent acceptance that with a large influx of immigrants, things will change. What we think of at British today, will no longer be the case in a few years. British identity, I think as history has shown, has taken time to create and is ever changing. Nonetheless, I think the quiet strength of the past will remain part of the new idneitty that is slowly emerging.
My friends and I ended up walking down to the sea-side. I'm not quick to use the term beach because it was really just a bunch of rocks next to the blistering sea. Though there is a flock of seagulls that seem perfectly happy basking on the mass amount of stones that have collected there in many years, the shorefront was scarce of human visitors save my friends and I. From our vantage point, we could kind of make out famous white cliffs through a bypass and several apartment buildings and businesses. The wind was intense and the clouds made it rather cold, but it was an amazing view nonetheless. It was fun to have the "beach" to ourselves, and seeing the sea walk (which was all closed up) was like stepping into a movie. I'd like to experience Dover again, but perhaps when the weather is warmer and the town is a bit more lively.
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