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.
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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.
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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