Boley Hill: Bullie Hill: Bulley Hill: Bailey Hill.

• Rochester, Kent.
• OSGB – TQ 7406 6848.
• Scheduled Monument.

Castle. Possible siege castle of William Rufus. Ditches surrounded the site. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle mentions the Danes constructed their camp away from the town. Covering around 3 hectares.

Possibly the first castle built in the area and replaced late by the one at Rochester. The site of the castle faces Boley Hill and it has been suggested that this is because it was in opposition to what may have once stood on the hill.

Roman artefacts have been uncovered on the site. It is believed that the original Roman settlement at Rochester included the site.

A Court Leet was held on the site.

855                       Possibly constructed by the Danes when they attacked Rochester.

1067-1089          Dating from. Siege Castle.

1215                    Possibly siege castle of King John.

1216-1272          During: The site believed to have been strengthened. Foundations have been uncovered in the grounds of Satis House.

1264                     May have been part of the defences used by de Clare.

1960                     Excavated.

1965                    Field Investigation.

References & Bibliography.

Caddell Brothers. 1870. The History and Antiquities of Rochester, Its Cathedral, Castle, & c. Caddel Bros.

Clark. G. T. 1875. Rochester Castle. The Archaeological Journal, Volume 32, pp. 205-228.

Denne. S., & Shrubsole. W. 1772. The History and Antiquities of Rochester and Its Environs. T. Fisher.

Gomme. G. I. 1890. The Village Community: With Special Reference to the Origin and Form of Its Survivals in Britain. W. Scott

Gomme. G. I. 1897. Boley Hill, Rochester. Archaeologia Cantiana, Vol. 17, pp.181-188.

McAleer. J. P. 1999. Rochester Cathedral, 604-1540: An Architectural History. University of Toronto Press.

Murray. J. 1858. A Handbook for Travellers in Kent and Sussex. J. Murray.

Wheatley, M.A., F.S.A. The Rev. Canon S. W. 1929. Boley Hill, Rochester, after the Roman Period. Archaeologia Cantiana, Vol. 41, pp. 127-142.