DOVER Castle is being featured in the first episode in a television series charting the history of British castles.

It is included in the first of the six parts of the series on Discovery Channel, when William the Conqueror’s motivation behind the construction of the castle was explained.

Britain is home to numerous castles that have played crucial roles in the forging of our nation. Built as status symbols and for military defence, these strongholds have been the location of key battles and have seen the crowning and deaths of many kings and queens throughout the ages.

Castle, a six-part series, starts on Wednesday January 7, and follows young medieval historian Marc Morris as he visits castles spanning Britain to chart their evolution over a period of six hundred years.

From the mighty Dover Castle overlooking the English Channel up to Castle Urquhart on Loch Ness, Marc travels the country to investigate the unique story of each structure.

From the first primitive buildings of earth and timber to the imposing stone fortresses we are more familiar with, the series explores castles at Rochester, Hedingham, Caerphilly, Conwy, Caernarfon, Bodiam, Threave, Borthwick, Urquhart, Raglan and Pontefract, among many others.