Queenborough Castle, Medieval concentric castle site in Queenborough, Kent.
Queenborough Castle is a medieval fortified site on the Isle of Sheppey designed with a concentric layout. The structure featured a central inner ring with six towers, surrounded by an outer defensive wall and a protective moat.
The fortification was commissioned by King Edward III in 1361 as an ambitious building project of his era. It marked a turning point in the design of English castles during the Late Medieval period.
The castle took its name to honor Queen Philippa and served as a symbol of royal power for the local community. This naming choice shaped how people understood their town's connection to the monarchy and its importance in the region.
The castle site, now called Castle Green, allows visitors to see the archaeological remains revealed during past excavations. The location is easy to access and provides a clear view of the medieval fortification from ground level.
This castle was England's first example of a concentric fortification design and a true innovation for its time. It stands as one of only a handful of castles the king built entirely from the ground up rather than adapting an existing structure.
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