Dover Castle is most probably England's most famous fortification. The castle dates from the period 1179-1188, but it was modified several times. In 1216-1217 the garrison resisted two sieges by the French. But in 1642, during the Civil War a small group of local men scaled the cliffs and captured the garrison almost without a shot. But this wasn't the end for Dover Castle. At the end of the 18th century the fort had its second life when it was modernised to resist a possible Napoleonic invasion. In World War Two the castle played once again an important role.