a borough and port town of England, in the county of Kent, situated in E. Long. o. 25. N. Lat. 51. 10. It gives the title of duke to the dukes of Queensbury, a branch of the noble family of Douglas; and sends two members to parliament, styled barons of the Cinque-ports, whereof Dover is the chief.

By the Romans this town was named Dubris, and by the Saxons Debra, probably from the British word Dour, which signifies water. The convenience of its situation drew the attention of the Roman governors, who ruled here while they possessed this part of the island; and there still remain indubitable testimonies of their care and respect for this important place. For the defence of the town, the Romans, or, according to some, Arviragus, a British king, their confederate, by cutting out walls with infinite labour in the solid rocks, constructed a stony fortress; and, as its venerable remains still prove, erected also a light-house for the benefit of navigation. The Saxons, Danes, and Normans, had a very high opinion of this place; and when the barons invited over the young prince afterwards Lewis VIII. of France, his father Philip Augustus conceived a bad opinion of the expedition, because the castle and port of Dover were held for king John, though a great part of the kingdom had submitted to Lewis. In its most flourishing state, the fortress was impregnable; and the town a very opulent emporium. It had 21 wards, each of which furnished a ship for the public service, 10 gates, 7 parish-churches, many religious houses, hospitals, and other public edifices.

The decay of the town was brought on by that of the harbour. To recover this, Henry VIII. spent no less than 63,000l. in constructing piers, and 5000l. in building a castle between this and Folkestone, called Sandgate; where the shore was flat, and the landing easy. Notwithstanding all this expense, however, it was again choked up in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by whom it was again cleared at a vast expense, so that ships of some hundred tons could enter it. Since that time it has again declined, notwithstanding of many efforts for its relief, and great assistance from time to time given by parliament for this purpose. As the haven, however, is still capable of receiving vessels of small burden, and as the packets to France and Flanders are stationed here in time of peace, it is still a place of some consequence, and the people are active and industrious.