Castles Flashcards
What was the purpose of castles like in Norman times?
Castles were built as a way of keeping control in England.
How many castles did the Normans build in the first 20 years of their reign?
500
What type of castles did the Normans build?
Motte and Bailey
What was a motte and Bailey castle?
The earliest Norman castles were known as motte and bailey castles. The motte was a large mound of earth that was topped with a keep, a wooden tower. The motte was surrounded by a bailey that contained the stables, barracks and kitchens.
What were Norman castles made out of?
Wood, later rebuilt with stone
Where were Norman castles built?
Anywhere there was a rebellion, William would build a castle.
Notably, Castles were built in strategic locations such as key transport routes. They were also located where there was more likely to be unrest, so there were many castles on the Welsh frontier, as well as in Exeter, York and Nottingham.
What were the features of a motte and bailey castle?
The Norman castles had 8 important features.
❖The motte was a large mound of earth, about five to seven metres high.
❖The keep was a strong wooden tower on top of the motte, that served as a lookout, an archers’ stronghold, and the most secure defensive position in the castle.
❖The keep was accessed by steps cut into the motte, or a bridge.
❖The bailey surrounded the motte and contained the stables, barracks and kitchens.
❖The bailey was protected by a strong wooden fence called a palisade.
❖A deep ditch surrounded the bailey and the motte. Sometimes this was filled with water.
❖Entry to the castle was controlled by a gatehouse.
❖Sometimes a drawbridge was built over the ditch, which could be drawn up in case of an attack.
How long would it take to build Motte and Bailey castles?
They were relatively quick and easy to build. With peasant labour, they could be constructed within weeks. Basic fortifications could even be completed within days, if necessary.
Castles served as a symbol of Norman _______.
power
How did the Norman castles highlight Norman power?
They dominated the skyline and intimidated the Anglo-Saxons living nearby
How did castles benefit the Normans militaristically?
In troublesome areas, they were spaced 20 miles apart. Norman soldiers could march 20 miles in a day, so this allowed them to deal with unrest quickly
