The architecture of the White Tower
I can explain the key design features of the White Tower.
The architecture of the White Tower
I can explain the key design features of the White Tower.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Normans loved an architectural style known now as Romanesque which looked back to features of Roman architecture.
- Castles changed the landscape of Norman England.
- Stone keeps and walls began to replace the wooden castle buildings and fortifications in the 12th century.
- The architect of the White Tower was a monk from Normandy, called Gundulf.
- The White Tower was built as a massive rectangular structure, with four corner turrets.
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
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.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The architecture of the White Tower, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: The architecture of the White Tower, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the White Tower unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Access to the tower was on this floor via a wooden staircase.
The Chapel of St John the Evangelist was on this floor.
This did not exist in Norman times.