Castles Flashcards
Where did the Normans build their first castle?
At Hastings
soon after they got there in 1066
William had built temporary castle in pevensey when they landed
What did they look for in a castle site?
Natural obstacles to enemies
(steep hill or large area of water)
Good views of surrounding countryside
What did William do with all the land in England?
Kept one fifth for his own use
Shared rest with men who helped him defeat Harold at Battle of Hastings
How many Barons were there and what did they do?
170 barons (tenants-in-chief)
Provided armed men on horseback for military service (KNIGHTS)
Number of knights depended on amount of land
How many Norman conquerors were in England after William crowned?
How many Anglosaxons?
10,000 Normans
1.5million anglo-saxons
Why did Normans build castles?
To defend the land they had just conquered
So many more anglosaxons than normans, they were at risk!
Who was Richard Gilbert?
What did he build?
Norman leader
Build a castle at Tonbridge in Kent, near RIVER MEDWAY
Why did Normans build castles?
Good way to get grip on english people
So many more english than normans, risk of rebellion
Castles were sign of Norman power, easily seen and acted as deterrant
Warning than any acts of rebellion would be met by force
Gave Normans safe places to live
What design of castle did Normans build?
Motte and Bailey
Quick and cheap way to secure land
Usually out of wood but later replaced with stone when Norman Lords felt more secure
What is a MOTTE?
Motte - earth mound to build a tower (keep) on a raised platform.
earth taken for mound from around its base making a ditch, a further defence
strengthened with wooden supports or clay
What is a BAILEY?
Enclosures
Sometimes surrounding base of the motte or to one side
Constructed quickly usually with wood
What was main advantage and disadvantage of wooden Motte and Bailey castles?
Took lots of men time to build them
Risk of invasion while busy
Showed a position of power
Quick to build if wooden
Offered place of protection
DISADVANTAGES of wooden M&B castles?
Wood can burn
Wood can rot
Destroyed by fire arrows
Battering ram could be used through pallisade (fence)
ADVANTAGES of wooden M&B castles?
Quick and easy to build Cheap to build Showed strength and control Drawbridge for extra protection Keep was last line of defence
What were the problems building castles?
Hard work (labour intensive) and needed skills Army had to be on constant guard Local towns people forced to build, taking hundreds of men days to complete
