Casgliadau Arlein

Obverse. A remarkably accurate representation of Archbishop William de Corbeuil’s great Norman fortress by the waters (here shown as waves) of the Medway. An embattled curtain wall surrounds the great keep of masonry, whose windows should be round-headed, but the brattice holes are shown above. To the left of the keep is a circular bastion. On the fore-building of the keep (where a raised portcullis) flies a flag charged with the arms of ENGLAND. To the right, steps ascend (? over the moat) to the great gate, its portcullis half-closed, flanked by two embattled round towers; on the top of the southernmost a warder sounds a trumpet blast.