Medieval castles teacher guide

1. Medieval Castles & Life
Amy Zschaber azschaber@stancoe.org

2. Aerial Perspective
• While not mandatory, it is
helpful to complete a
lesson on aerial
perspective prior to
beginning the medieval
castle lessons.
• This lesson, from Teachers
Pay Teachers, has
everything you need to
lead a very successful
lesson on aerial
perspective.
https://goo.gl/hsQMos

3. Quick Build: A Catapult
• In a group, build a working catapult
-9 popsicle sticks,
6 rubber bands,
1 plastic spoon
-No devices
-6 minutes
-You do not have to
use all of the items
-You can break items,
but you will not get
replacements

4. Does your catapult work?

5. How do catapults work?
A catapult is made using simple machines
called fulcrum and lever.
https://goo.gl/hrZLA8 and https://goo.gl/rTO5LQ

6. Catapults are a medieval war machine
We will use our catapults later in this
unit. Remember what you’ve learned!

7. What does “Medieval” mean?
• “old fashioned” or primitive
• Of or relating to the Middle Ages
• period of European history from A.D.
500-1500
Image of London in 13th century
Playing chess

8. Europe in A.D. 998

9. Medieval Europe relied on Feudalism
a political, economic, and social system based on
loyalty and military service

10. Medieval Social Hierarchy

11. What do people get from the King?

12. CASTLES!

13. Castles were built for protection

14. Castle vs. Palace
Buckingham Palace
England
Built 1703
Conway Castle
Wales
built 1283

15. Castle vs. Palace
Buckingham Palace
England
Built 1703
Conway Castle
Wales
built 1283

16. What makes a building a castle?

17. What makes a building a castle?

18. What makes a building a castle?

19. A castle is. . .
• A (usually large) fortified building or set of
buildings

20. Conway Castle

21. Conway Castle
• “greatest fortress in
Europe”
• Built by King Edward I
• Built 1283
• Sits on rocks and water
• 8 towers, 2 barbicans
• Walls are 15 feet thick
• Tallest tower is 30 feet

22. Conway Castle
3 minute tour of Conway Castle: https://goo.gl/sTJtpu

23. Aerial Perspective of Conway Castle

24. Blueprint of Conway Castle

25. Major architectural elements of a Castle?
• You will design
a blueprint for
your own castle
• You will use this
planning sheet
to help you

26. The Great Hall
The main room
of a castle.
Where meals
were eaten,
celebrations
happened, the
King met with
nobles, etc.

27. Crenellation / Battlement
A place for defenders to stand & ward off attacks.

28. Ashlar
Blocks of smooth stone of any kind

29. Wall Walk
The walk-way along the top of the castle
wall. Used for protection and defense.

30. Tower
Used for protection,
living, and guarding
“special guests.”
Can be cylindrical
or cubical.

31. Kitchen
A medieval kitchen
was usually in
separate building
from all other castle
buildings. Why do
you think this was
the case?

32. Armory
A building where
the weapons are
kept.

33. Dungeon
A place to put
prisoners.
It could just be a
room OR have
objects to
torture
prisoners.

34. Ouibuliette
An underground
dungeon only
accessible
through a hole in
the floor of a
building inside the
castle keep.
Prisoners did not
come back out,
and were not fed.

35. Moat
A deep trench, usually filled with water, that surrounds
a castle. Not all castles have moats. Most medieval
people believed only witches could swim.

36. Finial
A slender piece
of stone used to
decorate the tops
of towers.
Sometimes, has a
flag attached.

37. Portcullis
Vertical, sliding,
wooden/metal
grill suspended
in front of a
gateway
(usually at the
main entrance
to a castle).

38. Murder Holes
3-4 holes in the wall walk above the main entry-way of
a castle. Used to drop tar/water/oil onto would-be
castle attackers.

39. Arrow Slit
Narrow window
from which
archers can shoot
arrows.

40. Barbican
Stone protection
for the main
castle gate;
sometimes a gate
house.

41. Drawbridge
A moveable bridge
that can be pulled
up to protect a
castle. When
down, acts as a
bridge across the
moat.

42. Postern Gate
A secondary door or gate in a castle. Often in a hidden
place that allow people to come and go secretly. Why is
it very important that a castle have a postern gate?

43. Solar
The 2nd story of the
Great Hall. Usually,
where the King &
Queen slept. Not
all Great Halls have
a solar.

44. Storming a castle isn’t easy. . .
https://goo.gl/rx9yoX

45. Sometimes, you need a trebuchet
A trebuchet is a medieval war machine. It is similar to a
catapult, but much more powerful.
https://goo.gl/C9tehg

46. Storming a castle with trebuchet
https://goo.gl/P7WM2A and https://goo.gl/zHfbr4

47. Design a blueprint of your own castle

48. Design a blueprint of your own castle

49. Design a blueprint of your own castle

50. Design a blueprint of your own castle

51. Design a blueprint of your own castle

52. Castle building
• Groups of 2-4
• Pick 1 castle
blueprint
– Glue guns
– School glue
– Cardboard
– Scissors
– Paper
– paint

53. Cardboard Assemblage Commandments
1. All the cardboard belongs to
ye olde teacher.
2. Ye shall not hard the
cardboard. If it’s not glued
down; it’s not yours.
3. Ye shall not stab with or use
scissors in any manner other
than the intended manner.
4. If thy argues about cardboard
ownership, ye olde teacher
will take the cardboard from
both parties.
5. Ye shall label ALL work and
supplies with the name of at
least one group member.
1. Ye shall not hide the “good
scissors” or any other
material.
2. ALL the glue guns belong to
ye old teacher.
3. Only 2 group members can
use a glue gun at a time.
4. Ye shall not glue anything
other than cardboard w/o
approval from ye old
teacher.
5. Ye shall NEVER take an item
from another group’s
“stash” w/o speaking to ye
old teacher first.

54. Build your Castles

55. Castle Siege
We will have a “Siege
Tournament” using our
castles and catapults.
You can use the catapult
you made in your Quick
Build.
Or, in your own time,
build a working
trebuchet and/or
perfect your catapult.

56. Castle Siege