Durham Castle Flashcards
How far was Norman typical- physical features
Typical:
Geographical features (build on a hill,
surrounded by a river)
Typical to mother and bailey style with keep on the motte and palisade (good for defending threats against northern rebellions)
Very similar to Alnwick and bamburgh castle (bamburgh coast and alnwick river)
Small chapel- not large as main function was defence not religion
Chevron designs at alnwick similar to Norman arch (looks typical)
How far was Norman typical- physical features - not fully
Build beside a cathedral- very unusual
Cos of cathedral there was a large outer wall which surrounded both castle and cathedral
Neither bamburgh or alnwick like this
How far was tudor typical- physical features
Gallery - added by tunstalk to exercise and show off wealth
Similar to Hampton court which has more than one gallery
Great hall and kitchen - Hampton court also used it for entertainment. Hampton slightly bigger as could fort 600 guests and Durham 250
How far was tudor typical- physical features - not very
Durham was a fortress first so has thick walls and defensive features like gun loops
Hampton court was built out of new red brick and no gun loops
Hampton bigger Durham is 9 acres and Hampton 304
How far was Victorian typical- physical features
Similar to other colleges at the time- Durham and trinity college in Cambridge were designed by anthony salvin (rebuild Durham keep)
Great hall used for dining and stained glass - Durham and trinity have this. Stained glass includes the coat of arms which demonstrates who lived there which was key to the site . Great hall used for meals
How far was Victorian typical- physical features - not typical
Durham was a castle first whereas trinity was a purpose built college. The students at Durham slept in the keep and above the gatehouse Durham has some original Norman features like a chapel and Norman arch which no other uni has
“The development of the site over time has made it impossible for historians to understand why people first created it “ how far do u agree - physical features - impossible
Impossible- over 1000 yrs old originally made from wood and replaced over time. Only motte remaining but can’t tell anything from hill . Keep rebuilt in 1840s . Gatehouse was widened
Possible - can tell defensive fortress - (remains in the same place - horseshoe , steep bank)
Possible - religious links (near to chapel , Norman chapel inside )
The development of the site over time has made it impossible for historians to understand why people first created it “ how far do u agree - physical features - possible
Natural defences make it clear why the castle was built there
Natural defences are still there- hill built on, the river surrounding it, the motte with keep on top, the sally way still there used for escaping attacks
Therefore clear it was used for defence
Explain why physical features of Durham has changed over time use physical features - tudor
Prince bishop made into a palace- adding tunstall gallery by bishop tunstall with large windows to show off wealth and treasure. Galleries were a typical feature of tudor palaces - changed to make more luxurious
Tunstall added a larger chapel to show off to guests. Norman chapel was too small. Tunstall chapel have mercy seats which were rare and show wealth- changed to make more religious

Changed to make more suitable to entertain guests in the tudor period . Gatehouse was moved and widened to allow for carriages
Explain why physical features of Durham has changed over time use physical features - Victorian
The keep fell into ruin and has been rebuilt several time most recently in 1840 as purpose built student accommodation. Not an octagon rather than a square it was originally therefore changed to accommodate students
The great hall windows were widened to make it lighter as it would now be used daily for student meals. A big stained glass window added to celebrate 50 years as uni making it more practical
Gatehouse bell was added for students to be let in at night. A small doorway added so they could come in without opening full gate meaning it would suit student lifestyles
Explain why physical features of Durham has changed over time use physical features - Norman
For William 1 to secure control of north east (motte and Bailey castle). North east had rebellions- William responded with harrying of the north and built Durham to ensure no further rebellions. It was build on a hill so it was visible and a reminder of Norman powers initially built on wood but changed to stone showing permanent power
Geographical location (scottish threat) . Site was picked because it had a natural hill but also because of a river which provided 3 sides of protection. Has a steep cliff like eve on one side making attacks difficult. Geographical location made it perfect for a castle
Built at the exact location because religious significance of the cathedral. The actual cathedral was built after the castle (showing defence more important) but there was a church there with bones of stone cuthbert. This is why there’s a big outer wall to defend the cathedral showing castle built to defend remains
How far can historians use the physical remains of the site to tell the story (whole history) of the site - physical features
Norman chapel - people were coming for religious purposes - small like only to have used by important ppl. Carvings tell us about beliefs- mermaids. Sally port in chapel shows there was risk of being attacked
Tudor period- was used as a way to show wealth and power of Prince bishops. Crests and coat of arms everywhere. Tunstal added gallery to show of so his guests could exercise to show off treasures . Added a gun loop showing still some risk of rebellion
Victorian- education was important and growing. Castle given to uni to support education in north as Durham was first northern uni. The keep is rebuilt to accommodate students. Stained glass windows celebrate 50 yrs. can tell religion was growing
How was the gatehouse changed during the Tudor period
Widened to allow for guests to ensure - shows the castle was used for entertainment
Gunloop added ontop which aimed at the courtyard- 1536 pilgrimage of grace which proved the north was dangerous
Exchequer building
Government
Admin
Chnages to the tunstall chapel in Tudor period
Rebuild the chapel with ornate woodwork - misericods (highly carved with unicorns and pigs playing northumbrain pipes)
Windows added as a display of wealth
