The residents of the White Tower
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the different people who lived in the White Tower.
Key learning points
- The White Tower could accommodate royals and nobles.
- In the king's absence, the keeper (castellan) was the most important resident of the White Tower.
- The White Tower housed a garrison who likely stayed in barracks in the bailey or in the first floor hall.
- The White Tower also housed craftsmen to create and maintain weapons and a chaplain or priest to serve St John's Chapel.
Keywords
Noble - a member of the ruling elite
Castellan - the governor of a castle
Chapel - a small church, or a room used as a church in a larger building
Common misconception
The White Tower was always bustling with royal activity.
Royal residents were seldom present. Most of the time, the White Tower was managed by the keeper and housed a garrison of soldiers.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to think critically about the dual roles of historical buildings like the White Tower. Highlight the balance between their function as defensive strongholds and as residences for royalty.
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.Complete the sentence: The White Tower had multiple ; as a military defence, administrative centre and royal residence.
Q2.Complete the sentence: The White Tower was designed to defend a against attack.
Q3.How many years was it until the motte-and-bailey castle on the site of the White Tower was replaced with a stone structure?
Q4.Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's defences?
Q5.What was the purpose of the tower's fireplaces built in a sloped style?
Q6.What did William's Charter of 1067 declare?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the governor of a castle?
Q2.Which word describes a small church, or a room used as a church in a larger building?
Q3.Which of the following would have provided some comfort for the royal residents of the White Tower?
Q4.Which of the following was the role of the keeper at the White Tower?
Q5.Which of the following would have been part of the White Tower's garrison?
Q6.Which of the following occupations were also employed at the White Tower?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The residents 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 residents 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.