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Line 1: − '''Dover''' (Derivation: Old Celt for a stream, the Dour.) is a town and seaport on the coast of [[Kent]] overlooking the narrowest part of the English Channel – called the Straits of Dover. It is England’s busiest passenger port, and has been for all of England’s history. There is evidence of a pre-Roman settlement and the ruins of a Roman lighthouse are among the oldest in Britain. There was a [[Saxon]] fort there and the great [[Norman]] castle still stands above the harbour. It was one of the original five [[Cinque Ports]] (with [[Hythe]], [[Hastings]], [[Romney]] and [[Sandwich]]) − It was over-run by the [[Anglo-Saxons]] and [[Vikings]] during the course of their incursions and the French attacked at various times during the [[Middle Ages]]. In [[World War II]] it was the most heavily bombed town in England after London. − − The White Cliffs of Dover, the line of chalk cliffs where the South Downs meet the English Channel, are symbolic of the whole country to English returning home, and a line of hope in hard times, as immortalised in the 1941 song, sung by Vera Lynn at the height of the German attacks: − ::”''There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover,''” − :::”''Tomorrow, just you wait and see.''” − − *The Battle of Dover, fought off Dover in 1217, between English and French fleets relieved Dover Castle which was holding out against a French invasion force which controlled the rest of south-east England. It helped secure the young [[Henry III]] on the throne of England. − − *The Battle of Dover (or Battle of Goodwin Sands), fought off Dover on 19th May 1652 was the opening battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War. The Dutch were forced to withdraw after some hours of fighting. − − *The Battle of Dover Strait was a naval engagement fought in the strait on the night of 20th April 1917, in which 2 British destroyers fought off an incursion by 12 [[German]] torpedo boats. − − *Dover sole (solea solea) is a European flatfish, highly prized in London culinary circles – so called because its main source of supply enters England through Dover. − − *”Dover Beach” (1867) is a poem written by the Englishman, Matthew Arnold, concerning his despair at the lessening of religious faith in the world of his day, and the importance of personal commitment to another. [[Samuel Barber]] set it to music (1931) as a song for soloist and string quartet. − ==Reference== − *''"Brewer's Britain and Ireland"'' 2005 pp333/4 − *Warner Classics Cat 50999695233590 − − [[Category: United Kingdom Cities and Towns]] − [[Category: Battles]]
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