The Battle of Hastings, 1066

Evidence from the ‘Bayeux

Tapestry’

Norman MissionThe task:

• Take control of England

• 10,000 Normans to control 2 million Saxons (English)

• How are you going to do this?

• Each group has to write down the different ways the Normans will control England & stop the Saxons rebelling

• Can include diagrams if you want

• Time: 8 mins.

Task 1

In a group, discuss & list 3 things you would like to learn about Medieval Castles.

Write down 2 questions you would like answered today.

Q1. Who built the first castles?

Q2. Why were castles built?

Q3. How were castles built?

Q4. Why did castle shape change over

time?

Q5. What were the functions of different

parts of a stone castle?

Skills – working together

problem solving

Brainstorm

Having just invaded England.

Why would the Normans build castles?

Why build castles?

Note

William's castles - map

Why build castles?

Defence against enemy

Control surrounding

area

Home – somewhere to

live

Prisons and arsenal (weapons store)

How do we know Normans built castles?

• See their remains

• Archaeological evidence

• Bayeux Tapestry

– Showed earliest castles

– Story of Norman invasion from the Norman side of the story

• Story biased in favour of:

• Story biased against:

The Normans

The Saxons

A Motte and Bailey Castle

•What is this castle made of?

•How do we know?

•We know wooden castles were built. Why no physical evidence?

A Motte and Bailey Castle

Motte and Bailey Castles

keep

palisade

Ditch or moat

mottebailey

A Shell Keep

Cardiff Castle

A Square Keep

Chepstow Castle

A Concentric Castle

http://www.castlewales.com/beaumar.html

Wood burnsCan be cut down

High upDitchFast to build

Motte and Bailey

11th C

WeaknessesStrengthsCastleDate

Capture wall take whole building

Stone WallShell keep

11th C

Corners can be mined or battered

Thick stone wallsEntrance above ground level

Square keep

12th C

Only betrayal by someoneOrVery long siege

2 or 3 wallsInside wall higher than outerStrong gatehouseRound towers

Concentric Castle

13th C

• Shape metal• Work with lead for pipes &

roofs• Painting pictures inside

castle• Dig stone from ground• Make mortar to bind

stones together• Carve and lay stone• Cut, join and carve wood• Lay floors• Plastering the walls

Castle Builders

• Masons

• Smiths

• Carpenters

• Plumbers

• Plasterers

• Painters

• Pavers

• Quarrymen

• Mortarmixers

Carve and lay stone

Cut, join and carve wood

Work with lead for pipes & roofs

Plastering the walls

Painting pictures inside castle

Lay floors

Dig stone from groundMake mortar to bind stones

together

Shape metal

Task 2

Q1. Who built the first castles?

Q2. Why were castles built?

Q3. How were castles built?

Q4. Why did castle shape change over

time?

Q5. What were the functions of different

parts of a stone castle?

Skills – working together

problem solving