Case Study: The White Tower Flashcards
why was the location of where it was built significant?
London was great commercial centre->played large role in king-making,
Important-> Wiliam 1+2 made frequent visits to Palace of Westminister
position-> confront invaders from the East + dominated river crossing
built on site of old roman temple
how and why was the tower built the way it was?
was for living-> originally 3 floors the Henry VII added
that basement housed store rooms, prisoners + well
- split over 2 floors=huge banqueting hall, royal residence
-halls for public use
-1st floor= st johns chapel, guard room, hall
what were the defensive features of the tower?
defense-> thick, tall walls
- entrance on 2nd floor accessed by removable staircase could be burned to stop attackers from invading
- roof protected from missiles due to sunken position
- 4foot wide passageway in outer wall= room for archers to move around
what is the background to castles?
increasing Norman control
weapon and technologival advantage bc A-S had simple fortifications n not seen anything like this
motte and bailey= primitive castles n not permanent so would need rebuilding
first stone keeps= lasting symbol of N authority + W made it harder for other foreign invaders to repeat N’s success
what evidence is there to show the purpose of the castle was to defend?
was built as a wooden fortress in 1067 using old roman ruins and city walls and
small hill as key defensive features = height
advantage
entrance was accessed via removable staircase that could be burnt if under attack
arrow loops and well in basement= water if seiged
provision of garrison= protection for N
housed soldiers, stored weapons and acted as a military base
SUBSTANTIAL MILITARY FORTRESS PROVIDING STRONG DEFENCE
What evidence is there to show that the tower was built to exert political power?
London too rich to destroy so building tower meant that was a permenant symbol of his authority, remindin top of social hierarchy
literally towered over surrounding = intimidation
grand halls, spiral staircases, high windows= overwhelming power of N
in 1100 Bishop Flambard imprisoned for crime of simony-> tower was a symbol of power and prior to thus reminding a-s they were a conquered ppl
what evididence is there to show it was built tp strengthen religious and cultjral views
romanesque style -curved womdpw tall pillars gilded archers filled in stone= fashionable expensive buildings
N architecture changed throighpit construction-architectural styles shows this keeping upwith Latest tends
st johns chapel- strong statement of wealth and religion + on eastern side so ppl could see it when walking up thames
DEVOTION TO GOD AND GOD S ON THEIR SIDE
