Castle building in Norman Wales
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of castle building for Normans in Wales.
Key learning points
- The Normans constructed more than 300 castles in Wales before 1215, with 100 built along the Welsh Marches.
- Norman castles provided security for Norman inhabitants and also symbolised Norman control.
- Normans used castles as a base for expansion further into Wales.
- Castles provided the security for Norman colonisation of Wales.
Keywords
Castelry - an area of land controlled by a castle which supplied the castle with resources
Colonisation - settling land that already had people living there, and taking away control of it from its original owners
Common misconception
All Norman castles were built to a standard motte-and-bailey design.
In fact, although mottes and baileys were features of most Norman castles, how these were positioned could vary a lot, especially if they were built on the site of earlier Roman or Iron Age forts.
Teacher tip
The Welsh Government's historic environment service has some virtual tours of medieval castles in Wales, including Chepstow Castle. These could be used to expand pupils' answers to task A.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: earls were granted special privileges to help them control and colonise the Marches.
Q2.Complete the sentence: William I responded to threats in Wales by creating three new to defend the Welsh Marches: Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford.
Q3.Who attacked Shrewsbury in 1069?
Q4.Which of the following were characteristics of the Marcher earldoms?
Q5.Which of the following were powers given to the Marcher earls?
Q6.Which of the following were actions Roger de Montgomery took as a Marcher earl?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes an area of land controlled by a castle which supplied the castle with resources?
Q2.Which word describes settling land that already had people living there, and taking away control of it from its original owners?
Q3.Complete the sentence: The Normans constructed more than 300 castles in Wales before 1215, with __________ built along the Welsh Marches.
Q4.Which of the following were the main benefits of castle-building for the Normans?
Q5.Which castle was the beginning point of a chain of castles built along the north Wales coast by the end of the 11th century?
Q6.How did castles in Norman Wales build economic links?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Castle building in Norman Wales, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Castle building in Norman Wales, 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 Norman Wales unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.