What was new about Norman castles in England?

Question 1

Before the Norman conquest what was the Anglo saxon defence enclosures called?

Answer 1

Burh-geats

Question 2

What is the difference between a royal burh and a burh-geat?

Answer 2

Burh-geats where created by Thegns and were smaller than royal burhs which were fortified towns

Question 3

How big was a burh-geat?

Answer 3

An enclosed oval area around the size of a football pitch

Question 4

What wad the burh-geat surrounded by?

Answer 4

2 meter high earth bank and a 2 meter deep ditch

Question 5

Where was the first castle built in England and by who?

Answer 5

Norman friends of Edward the Confessor built a castle near the Welsh border

Question 6

In the Chronicle, what did the monk who wrote it describe these castles as?

Answer 6

Described the motte (huge earth mound) with wooded towers on top, and a wooded palisade (fence) around it

Question 7

What parts of England did castles help William secure?

Answer 7

South-east England and capture London