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

Anglo-Saxon society

The Anglo-Saxon monarchy

Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England

The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church

Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin

The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson

Claimants to the throne in 1066

The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge

The Battle of Hastings

Reasons for William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings

The submission of the earls in 1066

Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms

The Northern and East Anglian rebellions

The Harrying of the North

The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance

The revolt of the earls in 1075

The feudal system in Norman England

The Anglo-Norman Church

Change and continuity in Norman England

The significance of Domesday Book

The Norman aristocracy

Bishop Odo of Bayeux

William I and his successors

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?

Exit Quiz

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