Durham Castle Potential Qs - OCR B History GCSE Flashcards
“The development of the site over time has made it impossible for historians to understand when and why it was first created”
How far is this true for your site?
- Impossible - over 1000 years old and originally constructed from wood and then upgraded to stone
- Impossible - the castle was changed significantly by the Tudors and Victorians. (Fortress -> Palace -> University)
- Possible - The natural defenses have not changed so it is still clear as to why a castle was built there
Explain why the physical features of your site have changed over time.
The question is asking about change so we can’t focus on the Norman period
- The Keep fell into ruin and has been re-built several times, most recently in 1840 for student accomodation at Durham University
- The Great Hall windows were widened to make it lighter as it would be used for communal dining (No need for protection)
- A gatehouse bell and doorway was added so students could access their accomodation at night
Why did people first start using your site?
We must focus on the Norman period in this question, as the focus is why it was first used
- The site was used to intimidate the rebellious locals into not rebelling against William I. The site was built on a large hill to be a visual remider of Norman power
- The site was surrounded by a large river on 3 sides and the hill that it was built on had very steep banks, making the site very hard to attack.
- The site was built to protect Durham Cathedral, a site of major religious significance at the time as it housed the remains of St Cuthbert. A large outer wall was added to protect those remains.
How far can historians use the physical remains at your site to tell the story of the site or its people?
The story of the site means its whole history - all time periods
Links must be made to the people that used the site
- (Norman) Norman Chapel shows that people used the site for religious purporses, however the chapel was small so it probaly wouldve only have been used by important people.
- (Norman) The sallyport shows how people thought there was a genuine risk of attack so they needed a way to escape.
- (Tudor) The Castle was used to show off the wealth and power of the Prince Bishops. Tunstall Gallery added to allow him to show off to his guests and allow them to exercise.
- (Tudor) A gunloop was added which shows that there was still some risk of rebellion in the North.
- (Victorian) Education was now the primary use of the castle. Students would live in the Keep and a stained glass window is added to celebrate Durham Uni’s 50th anniversary
Choose one period in the history of your site. How far was your site typical of its type at the time?
- (Typical) Traditional motte and Bailey Castle, built on a hill, surrounded by a river, very similar to Alnwick and Bamburgh.
- (Typical) The Castle contained a small Chapel and has lots of Norman chevron designs throughout (pillars and Norman arch)
- (Not Typical) Built beside a Cathedral, a large outer wall that surrounded the castle and Cathedral (neither Alnwick nor Bamburgh have this)
Choose one period in the history of your site. How far was your site typical of its type at the time?
- (Typical) Gallery added by Bishop Tunstall to show off his wealth
- (Typical) The Castle contains a Great Hall and a large kitchen (similar to Hampton Court - both sites used to entertain guests)
- (Not Typical) Durham Castle was originally built as a fortress so it has thick walls and built out of stone. Hampton Court was built out of red brick and has no defensive features.
Choose one period in the history of your site. How far was your site typical of its type at the time? (Victorian)
- (Typical) Very similar to other University colleges from the time (Trinity College Cambridge)
- (Typical) Has a great hall used for dining with stained glass (both Trinity and Durham have this)
- (Not Typical) Durham was first built as a castle while Trinity College was first built as a University College
