White Tower

Question 1

What were the Saxons experience of castles pre-1066

Answer 1

• Hadn’t used them

- Used burghs -fortified settlements from Romans- instead

Question 2

What large scale building was the White Tower part of

Answer 2

Motte and bailey castles from Exeter to York to make it hard for invaders e.g. Danes

Question 3

How did the White Tower symbolize castle development

Answer 3

• First in wood then developed in stone keep style

- White Tower and Colchester tower became blueprints

Question 4

Who designed the White Tower and what did this show

Answer 4

• Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester

- showed the importance of church

Question 5

What was important about London

Answer 5

• Largest Town and great commerce center
• played a large role in King-making
• William made frequent trips to Westminster Palace

Question 6

What was important about the position of the White Tower

Answer 6

• located on an old Roman temple on a small hill next to the Thames
• so could dominate city and river crossing

Question 7

How did the architect contribute to the design of the White Tower

Answer 7

• Gundulf was previously at Caen used his quarries

- Experience of Norman Towers on continent e.g. Chateau de Roeun was used to model the White Tower

Question 8

What were the floors subdivide into (3)

Answer 8

Basement: prison,well
First Floor: St Johns Chapel, Hall
Second and third Floor: royal residence and Banquet Hall

Question 9

What 3 main defensive features were part of the Design of the White Tower

Answer 9

• entrance to the 2nd floor had a removable wooden staircase
• Roof protected due to sunken position and high walls
• 4-foot wide passageway in the outer wall of the 3rd floor allowed archers to move around

Question 10

What 3 main features part of the design of the white tower made it a residential place

Answer 10

halls for public use, chambers for private and large scale chapel
Wouldn’t be comfortable, used in times of threat

Question 11

What were the 4 main functions of the White Tower

Answer 11

• defence from military threats
• exert political control
• strengthen the cultural image
• use as a royal residence

Question 12

What about the White Towers location gave it a defensive function

Answer 12

Built on a small hill and roman ruins

Defend London and dominate river crossing

Question 13

What defensive features did the White Tower have to imply it had a defensive function

Answer 13

• prepared for siege with well in the basement
• garrison and stored weapons/soldiers
• 4 foot wide passageway in the outer wall of the 3rd floor allowed archers to move around

Question 14

What other castles showed the White Tower to be part of an exercise of political control on London

Answer 14

White Tower in SE and Baynard Castle and Motifichet Castle in the West

Question 15

What symbolic function did the White Tower have to the locals

Answer 15

Never seen a dominant structure like it before

Made it harder for resistance to gain momentum

Question 16

How was the White Tower used by Henry I to show its use as a political tool

Answer 16

Used it to put Bishop Ranulf Flambard in prison

Question 17

What Romanesque features did the White Tower have to strengthen the cultural image of the Normans

Answer 17

tall pillars, curved windows, and gilded arches

Question 18

Where was St Johns Chapel situated to strengthen the cultural image of the Normans

Answer 18

the eastern side of the Tower so people coming up the Thames would see the rounded walls

Question 19

What supports the argument that the White Tower was used as a royal residence

Answer 19

each floor being subdivided into living and defense

contained non-defensive features like hall, chamber, and chapel

Question 20

What is a counterargument to the White Tower being used as a royal residence

Answer 20

little privacy
poor sanitation
few fireplaces

Question 21

Where were the garderobes situated in the White Tower to strengthen their cultural image

Answer 21

Situated on the North so people coming up the Thames wouldn’t see