Motte-and-bailey castles
I can describe Norman motte-and-bailey castles and explain the reasons for their construction in England.
Motte-and-bailey castles
I can describe Norman motte-and-bailey castles and explain the reasons for their construction in England.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Castles were almost unknown in Anglo-Saxon England.
- Castles had a military function, acting as bases for troops who would control and oppress key areas.
- Castles had a psychological impact of terrifying and dominating the local population.
- Castles were centres of Norman power, acting as bases for Norman nobles to administer an area.
- Most Norman castles were variations of the motte-and-bailey design.
Keywords
Motte-and-bailey - a motte-and-bailey castle is a fortress in which there is a motte (small hill) surrounded by a bailey (courtyard) inside an outer wall
Burh - a burh was a fortified Anglo-Saxon town
Oppress - to oppress is to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom
Keep - a keep is the strong main tower of a castle which acted as a watchtower and a final point of defence
Palisade - a palisade is a strong fence made out of solid wooden poles that is used to protect people or a place from being attacked
Common misconception
A common misconception is that castles only had a military function.
However, castles also had a psychological impact on the people of England. They served as a permanent reminder to the English of a foreign occupier in their land. They were also centres of administration.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Motte-and-bailey castles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Motte-and-bailey castles, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: how did Anglo-Saxons resist Norman rule? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a fortified Anglo-Saxon town
to govern people in a cruel way and prevent them from having freedoms
the strong main tower of a castle which acted as a watchtower
a strong fence made out of solid wooden poles that is used for defence