The function of the White Tower
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the different functions of the White Tower.
Key learning points
- Norman castles in England were primarily military buildings.
- The White Tower was designed to defend a garrison against attack.
- Norman castles were centres of government administration and had economic functions.
- The White Tower was also built to be a royal residence.
Keywords
Garrison - troops stationed in a building to guard it
Function - what something is designed to do
Common misconception
That early medieval kings ruled from a royal palace.
In fact, early medieval kings and their courts travelled from one location to another.
Teacher tip
Students could sketch a diagram of the White Tower and label its defences.
Content guidance
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.Which word describes somebody who constructs things from stone?
Q2.Which word describes the design and construction of buildings?
Q3.Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's Romanesque style?
Q4.Which building materials were used by Gundulf in the construction of the White Tower?
Q5.In which century did stone keeps and walls begin to replace wooden castle buildings?
Q6.Which pattern were the Normans fond of using in their building projects?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes troops stationed in a building to guard it?
Q2.Which word describes what something is designed to do?
Q3.Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's defences?
Q4.Which of the following show that the White Tower was designed to survive besiegement?
Q5.Which of the following show the White Tower's administrative role?
Q6.What was located on the second floor of the White Tower?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The function of the White Tower, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The function of the White Tower, 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 White Tower unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.