After Henry II built his new castle at Dover, Canterbury Castle declined in importance and became used primarily as a prison. In 1609 James I granted it to Sir Anthony Weldon, and during the 17th century the Castle had fallen into ruin. In 1825 the Castle was used by the Canterbury Gas Light and Coke Company as a storage depot for coal and coke, and later a large water tank was set up on the ruins of the keep. In the 1900s the Castle was purchased by Canterbury City Council, who have restored it to its current condition.

English Castles

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