RECULVER

Kent

Okay, so we admit it, Reculver isn't really a Castle.  But it is one of those exceptions which just have to be counted in.  Why?  Well, mostly because all the other Roman "Forts of the Saxon Shore" are called Castles - so why discount Reculver.

The most noticable ruin at Reculver, however, is not Roman at all - but the magnificent twin towers of the Church, constructed during the12th century on the site of a much older church. These two towers were - believe it or not - scheduled for demolition in 1809, it was only Trinity House who insisted they be preserved; as a beacon for shipping!

The Roman Fort, Regulbium, was built early in the 3rd Century AD and was adapted to become one of the Saxon Shore Forts, most of the others being constructed specially for the purpose. Regulbium guarded the north entrance to the Wantsum Channel which then separated Thanet from the rest of Kent (Richborough Castle guarded the south entrance).  As with all of the Saxon Shore Forts it is uncertain whether Carausius was building them to protect himself from Saxon raiders or from his fellow Romans, having declared himself "Emperor of Britain" and independent from Rome.

One of the eeriest of the many tales associated with Reculver is that on stormy nights (it is always on stormy nights with these things) the cries of hundreds of babies can be heard.  Naturally these tales were poo-pooed, until excavations disinterred many babies skeletons.

Reculver stands proud above the cliffs still and is a landmark not just for seamen but for anyone passing, and despite the constant cold winds which seem to dog this spot, it is a wonderful place for a walk.

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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
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2001