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  • Oh good morning and welcome to the Great tower in Dover.

  • One of the many properties owned by his grace.

  • King Henry the second.

  • The castle has been around for a very long time since the time of the first norman king William the conqueror.

  • King Henry the second isn't to norman berry.

  • He's in charge of in the arms of an empire.

  • Came immediately after the norman empire.

  • The king is due for a visit any day now so I'm ensuring everything is shipshape but I have some time before I need to continue with my day's work so I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

  • Who's first?

  • Hi, I'm Alicia and I'm eight years old.

  • Hello Alicia.

  • What's your question?

  • What changes did King Henry second make to Dover?

  • King Henry decided to turn over into the most advanced castle design in europe including the inner bailey towers and the great tower.

  • This means Dover is widely admired by many of the king's most important visitors.

  • Thank you Stuart.

  • Goodbye.

  • Thank you for your question Alicia, it looks like we have someone else joining us.

  • Hello, my man, Francesca.

  • Hello, Francesca.

  • What would you like to know what a stupid and what do you do?

  • Well, as the Lord Stuart, I was appointed by the king to oversee every arrangement to prepare for his arrival.

  • Be that making sure the larder is fully stocked or that the hall is ready to receive guests.

  • It's a very important role with a lot of responsibility.

  • I answer only to the king.

  • I think he's doing good by you are most welcome now we have another two people joining us.

  • Hello, who are you?

  • Hi, I'm Brendan and I'm 10 years old.

  • I'm calum.

  • I'm 13 years old.

  • Hello Boys.

  • What would you like to know?

  • Why did the Normans build over castle?

  • Well, the strait of Dover is the shortest sea crossing between Dover and europe.

  • So it is important to defend it against invaders.

  • It's also the shortest sea crossing between England and Normandy in northern France.

  • Why does the king sleep?

  • The king sleeps in his private chamber with only the most important people are allowed inside.

  • But the chamberlain allows me to go in whenever I need to follow me inside.

  • I'll show you.

  • Yeah, No.

  • We are now in the most important room in the tower.

  • The king's chamber.

  • He works here, takes his leisure here with a chosen few.

  • And sleeps here, Fine fabrics and furniture made by the best artisans in europe residents fit for a king?

  • A boys?

  • Yeah, definitely.

  • Thanks.

  • Lord Stuart.

  • Goodbye boys.

  • Now, who's this?

  • Hello, I'm Felicity.

  • Hello Felicity.

  • What would you like to ask?

  • Where does the king keep all of his wealth over Carson.

  • The king travels constantly.

  • Many of his precious possessions travel with him to some of his very valuable possessions are here already.

  • This is the kings wardrobe for his precious possessions and money next door.

  • There's a privy.

  • A private toilet for the king.

  • Thank you for your question.

  • Now, who are you to?

  • Hi, I'm George allen.

  • How what would you like to know?

  • What does the king have for breakfast concerned with your stomachs?

  • Are we all right?

  • Well, follow me down to the kitchens.

  • We're now at the very bottom of the great tower which we use the storage.

  • And sometimes as a temporary kitchen.

  • There's a large kitchen outside in the bay for most people.

  • But this is the king's own private kitchen, which we set up specially for these visits.

  • As for breakfast, the king eats whenever he chooses and whatever he chooses when he wakes.

  • Perhaps he may call for a simple dish of bread dipped in wine all another time.

  • He may request a whole rabbit, a true luxury even for those well paid, such as myself.

  • Thank you, Stuart Goodbye now.

  • I really must get on and get to the great halls.

  • So if you have any other questions, I'll have to answer them upstairs.

  • I have time for one more question before I need to return to my duties.

  • You come forward, introduce yourself.

  • Hi, I'm Rosie.

  • Hello, Rosie.

  • What would you like to know?

  • What do you do for fun when you're not working?

  • Well, there isn't much free time when waiting for the king's arrival or is in attendance as there's always something to organize.

  • There are some games that servants like to play.

  • The servant boys often play with small animal bones, knuckle bones.

  • And they also cut board games into the kitchen tables to play nine Men's Morris or tic tac toe.

  • I wouldn't normally allow it, but if they've done their day's work, then I'll turn a blind eye.

  • As for nobles such as our king.

  • Chess is a preferred game, as is tables or black gammon, and then there's checkers or drafts.

  • Perhaps you know these games, wow.

  • Thanks so much stood.

  • Right, that's enough for today.

  • I really must return to my duties.

  • Goodbye.

Oh good morning and welcome to the Great tower in Dover.

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