  dover castle is a medieval castle in the town of the same name in the english county of kent. it was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "key to england" due to its defensive significance throughout history. it is the largest castle in england. ==history== thumb|upright|left|the roman lighthouse at dover castle the site may have been fortified with earthworks in the iron age or earlier, before the romans invaded in ad43. this is suggested on the basis of the unusual pattern of the earthworks which does not seem to be a perfect fit for the medieval castle. excavations have provided evidence of iron age occupation within the locality of the castle, but it is not certain whether this is associated with the hillfort. there have also been excavations on the mound which the church and roman pharos are situated on, which has been discovered to be a bronze age mound. the site also contained one of dover's two  roman lighthouses (or pharoses), one of which still survives, whilst the remains of the other are located on the opposing western heights, across the town of dover. on the site is a classic montrol (campsite) where the normans landed after their victorious conquest. ===saxon and early norman=== thumb|300px|right|the view down from the castle to the church, possible saxon burgh, and harbour beyond. after the battle of hastings in october 1066, [[william th
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