New
New
Year 10
AQA
Castle building in Norman Wales
I can explain the importance of castle building for Normans in Wales.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Castle building in Norman Wales
I can explain the importance of castle building for Normans in Wales.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Normans constructed more than 300 castles in Wales before 1215, with 100 built along the Welsh Marches.
- Norman castles provided security for Norman inhabitants and also symbolised Norman control.
- Normans used castles as a base for expansion further into Wales.
- Castles provided the security for Norman colonisation of Wales.
Keywords
Castelry - an area of land controlled by a castle which supplied the castle with resources
Colonisation - settling land that already had people living there, and taking away control of it from its original owners
Common misconception
All Norman castles were built to a standard motte-and-bailey design.
In fact, although mottes and baileys were features of most Norman castles, how these were positioned could vary a lot, especially if they were built on the site of earlier Roman or Iron Age forts.
The Welsh Government's historic environment service has some virtual tours of medieval castles in Wales, including Chepstow Castle. These could be used to expand pupils' answers to task A.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Complete the sentence: earls were granted special privileges to help them control and colonise the Marches.
Q2.
Complete the sentence: William I responded to threats in Wales by creating three new to defend the Welsh Marches: Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford.
Q3.
Who attacked Shrewsbury in 1069?
Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn
William FitzOsbern
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
Q4.
Which of the following were characteristics of the Marcher earldoms?
They were bigger in size which made them easier to control
Marcher earls could not create new towns, markets and churches
Q5.
Which of the following were powers given to the Marcher earls?
They could join with other earldoms, without asking the king for permission
They could rename the earldom to whatever they wanted
Q6.
Which of the following were actions Roger de Montgomery took as a Marcher earl?
Established a stronghold at Rhuddlan
Received tribute from the king of Gwynedd
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which word describes an area of land controlled by a castle which supplied the castle with resources?
Q2.
Which word describes settling land that already had people living there, and taking away control of it from its original owners?
Q3.
Complete the sentence: The Normans constructed more than 300 castles in Wales before 1215, with __________ built along the Welsh Marches.
150
200
250
Q4.
Which of the following were the main benefits of castle-building for the Normans?
Provided William with hundreds of houses in which he could stay if needed
Served as a powerful way to show off Norman architectural styles
Q5.
Which castle was the beginning point of a chain of castles built along the north Wales coast by the end of the 11th century?
Chepstow Castle
Cardiff Castle
Deganwy Castle
Q6.
How did castles in Norman Wales build economic links?
Each castle hosted an annual festival which attracted visitors
Local people had to pay to live in the area around the castle
Additional material
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