Editing First Barons' War (section)

===First siege of Dover===
In the meantime, the [[Philip II of France|King of France]] taunted his son for trying to conquer England without first seizing its key port, Dover. The royal castles at [[Canterbury Castle|Canterbury]] and [[Rochester Castle|Rochester]], their towns, and indeed, most of Kent had already fallen to Louis. However, when he moved on to [[Dover Castle]] on 25 July, it was prepared. Its constable, [[Hubert de Burgh]], had a well-supplied garrison of men.{{sfn|Hanley|2017|page=109}}

The first [[siege]] began on 19 July, with Louis taking the high ground to the north of the castle. His men successfully undermined the [[barbican]] and attempted to topple the castle gate, but De Burgh's men managed to repel the invaders, blocking the breach in the walls with giant timbers. (After the siege the weak northern gate was blocked and tunnels were built in that area, to St John's Tower, and the new Constable's Gate and Fitzwilliam's Gate.) In the meantime, Louis's occupation of Kent was being undermined by a guerrilla force of [[Weald]]en archers raised and led by [[William of Cassingham]].

After three months spent besieging the castle and a large part of his forces being diverted by the siege, Louis called a truce on 14 October and soon returned to London.