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

to oppress is to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom

a keep is the strong main tower of a castle which acted as a watchtower and a final point of defence

a palisade is a strong fence made out of solid wooden poles that is used to protect people or a place from being attacked

Motte-and-bailey castles

History

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

British depth study: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88

Most Norman castles were variations in what type of castle design?

acted as new homes for Normans in England

terrified the local population and dominated the landscape

acted as bases for Norman nobles to administer an area

How did Norman castles have a psychological impact on the Anglo-Saxons?

How many castles are estimated to have been built by the Normans within 20 years?

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

Match keywords to their correct definitions.

Castles were almost {{}} to Anglo-Saxon England, who had previously relied on burhs for protection.

What material were many castles later rebuilt using?

Which word describes when you pay money and declare loyalty/submission to your ruler, especially on a formal occasion?

Which important lands did William give to his half-brother, the Bishop of Bayeux?

Who did William take back to Normandy with him as hostages in 1067?

William returns to Normandy with hostages

William creates new Marcher earldoms to defend the Marches

Put the following events in chronological order.

it was a risk to give such extensive powers as they may try to become king

he only ever appointed family members to positions of power

they had previous experience fighting against the Welsh rebels

they were Anglo-Saxons so they were good negotiators with the Welsh

Why did William only appoint his most trustworthy followers to be Marcher earls?

What word describes a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young or too ill?

Starter Quiz