posted 06-14-2001 11:43 AM            

---

Reading from John Kenyon's;
Medieval Fortifications .. 1990

Extant examples are not numerous in Britain.
A twelth century barbican survives at Dover.
West end of Chepstow the start of the following century; late 13th C at Goodrich.
Also suggests that an earlier work at Dover dates from 1168-74.
This chapter on barbicans & bridges quotes several other early examples. But John does not try to tell us when\where they might of come from.
So, regarding the excellent example at Leeds Castle, Dover predated it by at least a 100 years.
Perhaps one example that might have been stunning in its full glory, is the one at Sandal, York's. The quality of the workmanship, along with its design, would have made it something to see.