The great keep of Rochester Castle towers over the River Medway in Rochester, Kent. It is one of the best preserved and finest examples of Norman architecture in England. There has been a castle on this site since Roman Times, though it is the massive square Keep of 1127 and the Norman castle for which Rochester is deservedly famous.The castle has had a chequered history, having been three times subjected to siege, and was partly demolished in 1215 by King John, who gained entry by undermining the south-west tower, using the fat from 40 pigs to set fire to the pit props. Today, visitors can see the rebuilt round tower, contrasting with the square towers of the original Norman castle. A new model has been installed in the castle’s chapel showing how the castle would have looked in the 14th century.