Chilham castle stands on a spur over the Stour valley on the road from Canterbury to Ashford.
It is the head of the barony of Fulbert of Dover, held in chief by knight service and bound to the guard of Dover castle. On 1 January 1200 its lord is most likely Robert of Dover, whose daughter Roese will carry it through three marriages, the second to John's own son Richard FitzRoy. John himself later stays at Chilham to treat with Archbishop Langton.
Who he is
- Name
- Robert of Dover (Robert de Dover)
- Title
- Lord of the barony of Chilham (the barony of Fulbert)
- Since
- Not pinned
- Born
- Not pinned
- Family
- Descendant of Fulbert of Dover, who received Chilham after Bishop Odo's fall and died under Henry I. Robert's daughter and heiress is Roese (Rose) of Dover, who marries first Richard son of Roger of Chilham (called Richard of Dover), then Richard FitzRoy, King John's natural son, and third William of Wilton; she is still holding Chilham in 1271-72.
- Confidence
- medium
Hasted says Robert of Dover died before the sixth year of John's reign (1204-05) still holding the castle and honour, which makes him the likely lord on 1 January 1200. The barony was held in chief by knight service and owed soldiers for the guard of Dover castle (the 'barony of Fulbert'). The keep is dated to about 1174 and is said to have been built for Henry II.
Overlord
King John
What it holds
- Chilham castle and manor
- Knights' fees owing castle-guard at Dover
How it was acquired
By the Dover family from the late eleventh century.
Allies and rivals
Neighbours: Christ Church Canterbury and St Augustine's abbey, who hold most of the land around.
How things stand that morning
Held in peace by Robert of Dover on the most likely reading.
Wealth
Stour valley manors. No figures.
Military
Chilham castle; its Dover castle-guard.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- Before 1204-05 (beyond 1200)Robert of Dover dies; his daughter Roese inherits Chilham.Depends on: Natural death Stopped by: Nothing likely
Places of note
- Chilham castle: Keep of about 1174
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Hasted gives the descent; the exact dates of Robert's lordship are not pinned.
On the map: The caput only.
Primary sources for England
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond, Jocelin of Brakelond (about 1198 to 1203). An inside account of Bury St Edmunds under Abbot Samson, written while the events were fresh. Read online
- Chronicle of Melrose, Anonymous (monks of Melrose abbey) (about 1173 to 1270, in many hands; the 1200 entries are near contemporary). The main Scottish annal for the year, kept at a Cistercian house on the Tweed. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of the Princes, Anonymous (Welsh translation of a lost Latin chronicle kept at Strata Florida) (Latin original to about 1282, compiled from contemporary annals; Welsh versions about 1300 and later). The native Welsh record of the year. Read online
- Chronicle; Deeds of the Kings, Gervase of Canterbury (Chronica about 1188 to 1199; Gesta Regum about 1199 to 1210). The Chronica stops in 1199, so for 1200 the witness is the briefer Gesta Regum, which notes John's peace with Philip, the coronation of Isabella at Westminster on 8 October 1200, and matters touching Canterbury: the archbishop Hubert Walter as chancellor, the cathedral priory's quarrel with him, and the Lambeth college dispute lately settled by the pope. Read online
- English Chronicle of Ralph of Coggeshall, Ralph of Coggeshall (about 1200 to 1224, in stages). Short but independent entries for 1200 from a Cistercian house in Essex: John's levy on the Cistercians and the carucage, the peace with Philip, the king's new marriage and the queen's coronation, and the death of Hugh of Lincoln. Read online
- Flowers of History, Roger of Wendover (about 1220 to 1235 at St Albans). For 1200 Wendover is mostly Howden rewritten, so he is a second witness only where he adds St Albans material: a long account of Hugh of Lincoln's last months, death and funeral, and anecdotes about John's conduct toward the Cistercians and his new queen. Read online
- Images of History, Ralph de Diceto (about 1188 to 1202). A London view of the year from the dean of St Paul's, who knew the justiciar and the bishops personally. Read online
22 more in the sources library for The British Isles.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.