Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The architecture of the White Tower

I can explain the key design features of the White Tower.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 10
AQA

The architecture of the White Tower

I can explain the key design features of the White Tower.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Normans loved an architectural style known now as Romanesque which looked back to features of Roman architecture.
  2. Castles changed the landscape of Norman England.
  3. Stone keeps and walls began to replace the wooden castle buildings and fortifications in the 12th century.
  4. The architect of the White Tower was a monk from Normandy, called Gundulf.
  5. The White Tower was built as a massive rectangular structure, with four corner turrets.

Common misconception

All Norman castles were built to the same design.

In fact, although we learn about the classic motte-and-bailey castle (and maybe even make models of them in school), there was a very wide variety of castle designs in England and in Normandy.

Keywords

  • Romanesque - the style of building that was fashionable in Western Europe which recalled the power of the Roman Empire

  • Architecture - the design and construction of buildings

  • Motte-and-bailey - a type of fortification built by the Normans

  • Keep - a fortified tower in a castle

  • Mason - somebody who constructs things from stone

There are excellent images produced by the Royal Palaces that show various stages in the construction of the White Tower. Pupils could refer to these when answering Task B.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

Skip video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes having the right to hold power?
Correct Answer: legitimacy
Q2.
Complete the sentence: The site chosen for the White Tower was a important one: the castle guarded important points of access into London.
Correct Answer: strategically
Q3.
Which London landmark was only 500 metres from the White Tower?
Westminster Cathedral
Montfichet's Tower
Correct answer: London Bridge
Baynard's Castle
Q4.
Which of the following evidence suggests that the White Tower's location was symbolic?
Correct answer: The White Tower was constructed inside the London Wall.
The White Tower was constructed on elevated ground.
The White Tower was constructed on a bend in the River Thames.
Q5.
Which of the following evidence suggests that the White Tower's location was economically motivated?
The White Tower was constructed inside the London Wall.
The White Tower was constructed on elevated ground.
Correct answer: The White Tower was constructed on a bend in the River Thames.
Q6.
Put the following events in chronological order.
1 - The Romans erected fortifications in the south-western corner of the London Wall
2 - An Anglo-Saxon fort was built.
3 - Ralph Baynard made the Earl of Essex.
4 - Baynard’s Castle was built.
5 - The site was demolished to make way for Blackfriars Priory.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word describes the style of building that was fashionable in Western Europe which recalled the power of the Roman Empire?
Correct Answer: Romanesque
Q2.
Which word describes a fortified tower in a castle?
Correct Answer: keep, a keep
Q3.
Who was the architect of the White Tower?
Henry III
William FitzOsbern
Correct answer: Gundulf
Ralf of Mantes
Q4.
What type of castle were the early Norman castles?
Correct Answer: motte-and-bailey castle, motte-and-bailey
Q5.
What name did the White Tower have in William the Conqueror's time?
the Tower of London
Correct answer: the Great Tower
the Conquest Tower
the First Tower
Q6.
Match the floor level to the White Tower's feature.
Correct Answer:first floor,Access to the tower was on this floor via a wooden staircase.

Access to the tower was on this floor via a wooden staircase.

Correct Answer:second floor,The Chapel of St John the Evangelist was on this floor.

The Chapel of St John the Evangelist was on this floor.

Correct Answer:third floor,This did not exist in Norman times.

This did not exist in Norman times.

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.