How Did Castles Change In England Between 1066 And 1500

How Did Castles Change In England Between 1066 And 1500
"Explain why castles changed in England between 1066 and 1500"
Castles were extremely important during 1066 – 1500 and they changed overtime to get more
protection. A castle is a fortification that was used in the middle ages to protect territory against an
invasion. They were important during these times because many kings and lords wanted to show off
how wealthy they are and they used them as bases, controlling their land and people from a higher
point.
The first stage of the castle development is the motte and bailey castles. The motte is a hill or a
mound with a flat surfaced top and it is the hardest point to attack. Whereas the bailey is inside the
wells were people lived and the cops were grown. The King and lords who built castles used them
as bases from which they could control their land and people, furthermore it also protected them
from wars and showed people how powerful and rich they were. Examples of motte and bailey
castles are Windsor castle, Lincoln castle, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The wooden towers of a motte and bailey castle were removed and replaced with stone, because the
towers were hollow, it was called a shell keep. Castles with a shell keep were better than the early
Norman 'motte and bailey castles' because it was an expensive way of strengthening the motte, the
fragile wooden fence around the motte was replaced with a stone wall. The castle engineers during
the Norman period of time did not trust the motte to support the enormous weight of a stone keep,
but the a common solution to that problem was to replace the wooden stakes enclosing the castle
with a stone wall then building wooden buildings backing onto the inside of the wall. This
construction was great because it meant that the walls could be thinner and lighter. The shell keep
castles were less popular and were relatively short lived, the style stopped being popular very
quickly. Castles like York castle Clifford tower have a stone
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

Stone Castle Research Paper
Attacking
Fire
Fire was the best way to attack the early Motte and Bailey castles since they were made entirely of
wood. The fire might be started by building a bonfire against the outer wooden fence (palisade) or,
more usually, by archers shooting fire–arrows into the castle. As the fire spread through the castle
those living inside would be forced to leave allowing the attackers to take them prisoner or kill
them. This was one of the reasons why Motte and Bailey castles were soon replaced by Stone Keep
castles. Fire has little effect on a stone castle.
Battering Ram
The thick stone walls of the Stone Keep castles were difficult for men to knock down. Although
pickaxes could be used against castles with thinner walls, it would take a very long time to knock a
hole through a castle with very thick walls. The battering ram was particularly useful since the
weight of several men would be put behind it. This would make it a considerable force that could
seriously weaken and possibly destroy doors or walls.
Ladders
Ladders were used by ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In Medieval times, you'd have found a drawbridge along part of this modern wooden bridge into
Bodiam Castle. Curiously, the earliest drawbridge designs were fussier and a bit harder to explain.
At the most basic level, they could just be an unsecured piece of long wood, which was removed
when attackers were nearby. A different system worked a bit like a set of hands on a clock. The
wooden drawbridge was rotated across the moat, like a big–hand reaching from 3–o'clock around to
6. Another system – which we nowadays call the 'bascule' – was a see–saw type arrangement, with a
complex counterweight on either side to draw one side up whilst the other went

What Castles Were Built During The Middle Ages
Castles were built during the Middle Ages for the purpose of protection from foreign invaders. In
Britain, many castles were built along the borders in order to stop raids from the Welsh and the
Scots. By building castles along the borders, the British could also launch a series of raids in return.
A castle also demonstrated a lord's power over a particular land. If invaders had taken over a castle,
they could use it to help control the land that they had taken. A castle was a home for a lord and his
family. It was a defensible place where a lord could defend himself against his enemies like his rival
lords. A castle was a safe place where a lord and his knights could return to. The Normans
successfully conquered Britain in 1066. The leader ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This caused the need for castle designs to be changed. The first castles were mounds of earths which
were built for defence as enemies had difficulties climbing over them. The Normans then developed
the Motte and Bailey castle designs. "A Motte was a large mound of earth, and a Bailey was the
flattened land beside the mound."[4] Motte and Bailey castles took a small amount of time to build
and it was very hard to attack. Castle architects developed a way to further strengthen the Motte and
Bailey Castle which was building "a shell keep – a thin ring of stone around the buildings on top of
the castle Motte."[4] Castle architects then constructed a castle made from stone. Stone was much
harder to be stormed by attackers and it was protected against fire. A new style of constructing
castles developed which was the gothic style. Gothic castles were much more imposing and
comfortable to live in. In 1270, concentric castles were then developed. "They had thicker outer
walls and rings of extra outer walls."[4] Concentric castles were very expensive stone castles. In
Northern Wales, Edward I built some concentric castles. After the development of cannons, castle
walls were easily destroyable. The nobles then decided to turn the castles into imposing grand

The Count Of Nevilles Analysis
This walk explores the beautiful countryside to the north–east of Sheriff Hutton, visiting the hamlet
of High Stittenham and the secluded valley of Mowthorpe Dale. The extensive views stretch across
the Vale of York. The name Sheriff Hutton derives from the Old English words 'hoh' and 'tun' which,
when combined mean 'farm on the spur of land'. The prefix of Sheriff originates from its association
with Bertram de Bulmer, the Sheriff of York in 1115, who once held title to the estate. Later the
Bulmers married into the powerful Neville family. The Nevilles became lords of the manor in 1331
after the Bulmers male lineage failed. In 1382 John, Lord Neville obtained a licence to crenellate
and build a new stone castle. The castle had a high curtain ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
However, much of the present structure is the result of rebuilding and additions carried out between
the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Inside the church is a white alabaster effigy of a young boy
wearing a long robe and his head, bearing a coronet, rests on a pillow of winged beasts, possibly
gryphons. This statue represents Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, the son of Richard III,
who died in 1484. Furthermore, a small piece of stained–glass above the effigy depicts the 'Sun in
Splendour', a symbol used by the House of York. However, Edward's final resting place remains a
subject for debate, as the tomb below is empty! Next to the churchyard is the site of Sheriff Hutton's
first motte and bailey castle, erected in 1140 by Bertram de Bulmer. This type of fortress had a
wooden tower situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, with an enclosed court
yard, the bailey,
surrounded by a ditch and wooden fence. These structures were easy to build, but still formidable
defensive strongholds. From the village, we follow the Ebor Way onto the Howardian Hills and join
the Centenary Way which leads to High Stittenham. This tiny hamlet stands at the top of a steep hill,
surrounded by valleys on three sides, justifying the meaning of its name as the 'steep place'.
According to some sources, John Gower, the first Poet Laureate was born in Stittenham

William The Conqueror
William the conqueror was an extraordinary man. He reigned over England from 1066–1087.During
this time he achieved many great things. Winning the battle of Hastings, the Domesday book and so
on. People described him as a fine soldier a great administrator and NOT a cruel man by the
standard of his age. Read on and discover how he seized complete control of England! William the
conqueror had spent months preparing all his armour, weapons, boats and training his army. He was
going to invade England and kill the new King on the throne, Harold Godwinson, who had taken an
oath to give William the throne, but had gone back on his word. As soon as William reached English
shores, he began burning everything in sight,

How Stability was Maintained during the Middle-Ages
Introduction
Feudalism – a social structure and hierarchy containing mutual duties and obligations. Stability is
maintained as long as the system doesn't change. Physical power resides with the king and nobles
through their knights. The Church's power resides through controlling people's beliefs. Serfs were
tied to the land. The Black Death, however, brought about such massive changes in demographics /
population that the demand for a limited labor source (the peasants) meant that this social group at
the bottom of the social ladder grew in importance (as seen in the 1381 Peasants revolt) that drastic
change and the end of the feudal structure was inevitable.
Paragraph 1
The castles played an important role in the middle ages. The castles structure was built to fortify and
maintain control over an area. The architecture that was put into building the castles, was designed
to hold back any enemies with heavy weaponry and stronger armies then them. Source 1 states "The
earliest medieval castles were built with mottes and baileys." Mottes were built with wooden walls
around the edges, in the process formed a ring–work fort. This sort of protective structure was used
in the late twelfth century. The Motte was one of the most defensible areas, while the bailey was one
of the main places where the battle took place.
Paragraph 2
The Roman Catholic Church had the most powerful religion in Europe. The Pope was the head of
the Church, and its

Mootte And Baily: Northern European Fairy Tales
If you're a fan of medieval times, you probably know the answer to this question or at least partially
so. If not, please continue reading, and I'll give a basic explanation. The phrase "motte–and–bailey"
describes a model for many Northern European strongholds from the 10th century on, including
select Scottish castles and Tower Houses. This archetype is a raised fortification that surrounds a
reinforced wooden or stone tower [called a keep] used as a residence and safe–house by its Laird
and high guests, or wealthy landowner. The "motte" is a mound; a raised man–made earthwork that
is carved out of the ground and piled as high as possible then flattened on top. It could also have
been a naturally elevated geographic feature that was leveled

Early Medieval Architecture
Early Medieval structures are typically built from a combination of stone and timber called "half–
timbered" buildings (anything built earlier than the 11th century) and later built with just stone.
They were built with a secure base, easily defended because of the thick high walls, and secure
entry gates to protect from frontal attacks. Some even included keeps, turrets with small, high
windows (which provided protection for archers), and a moat or trench of water to deter invaders.
These buildings were also strategically placed next to bodies of water or mountains to monitor and
control access and resources in case of a siege. This building style was mostly militaristic and less
extravagant because the people in this period from 500 to 1000 ... Show more content on
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Both forts were placed upon a hill type structure to raise it up and protect it from siege except the
Castillo's was called a glacis. They both had a form of structure to help protect soldiers within it
crenelations in the Windor castle and ravelins in the Castillo. The only differences between the two
were the shapes of the structures the Castillo being made into the shape of a star and the Windsor
castle made into more of a circular type structure around the town, what type of stone they were
made with regular stone vs. Coquina, and how they were built, the Bastion system vs. motte and
bailey castle building, due to varying locations and advances in militaristic building technology.
There were more weapons on the Castillo and they were less about protecting the people and more
about protecting the gold. And ultimately the building of the Castillo was more advanced because
they had the time and greater wealth to develop something of a greater stature than the fort and it
wasn't just made for protection of the people but more so for the protection of their assets. But
without the engineering feats of the Windsor Castle the Castillo may never have been built because
it was a result of years and years of militaristic advances in building technology.
Works Cited Royal Collection Trust. "Who Built Windsor Castle?" Home. Royal Collection

Medieval Castle Research Paper
Castles were one of the greatest buildings ever created even to this day. These huge magnificent
creations have been around for centuries and are all around the world. Castles were made out of
many different materials in different places had very good protection systems and had many
different parts like a modern home. As well it had some castles that were so great that they are
famous to this day. Castles probably will and will forever be one of Earth's greatest features.
Different climates and places called for different materials during the building of a castle that also
it's only little touch of meaning. There are many different types of castles with their own different
materials in Medieval times. Different places ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Defensive castles were something to fear and if they messed with the wrong on that it was their
funeral. These strongholds had moats, arrow slits, siege towers, battlements and some even had
cannons. They would have to have everything under the king or lords orders to keep everyone
safe."Sieges could last for weeks and even months, no food could reach the castle during this
time"For instance, they used battlements which were at the top of the castle walls, but generally
they were cut out from walls allowing defenders attack while still being protected by the walls. The
defensive ways for castle ways were very strong and well built, so let's just say that some castles
were the boss of their

the medieval castle Essay
the medieval castle
What is a castle?
A castle is a properly fortified military residence.
Why were castles built?
Initially, they were designed and built to hold down conquered territory. They also served to
intimidate and strike fear into the local peoples, were places of refuge, and places for the lords to
live. They were also impressive symbols of the power and wealth of their owners.
How castles came to exist in Europe?
Castles were brought to England by William the Conqueror, when he invaded England from his
homeland in France. Known as the Duke of Normandy, William invaded England in 1066 and, due
to his victory in the Battle of Hastings, William was crowned the King of ... Show more content on
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Many of the people who lived in Britain before it was conquered did not like being controlled by the
king's barons, and wanted to keep control of their own lands themselves. But that was not possible,
because William and later kings (and queens) demanded they pay homage. Therefore, castles were
built to establish the power of the king and his followers, and to keep the people from regaining
control of their own lands. These first knights and barons, followers of William the Conqueror, were
known as the
Normans, and were a very powerful lot. They built castles almost everywhere in Britain, hundreds
of which still survive. Stone castles were built for stability and to symbolize the power of the lords
of the kingdom. Even if the king did not order a particular castle to be built for his use, he still
retained the ability to seize any of his lords' castles if they displeased him or if the king had a special
reason to want to use it.
What features made stone castles stable and able to withstand battle?
* The walls were very thick, anywhere between 8 and 20 feet in thickness, so they could withstand
bombings or battering from a battering ram, or another seige machine like a catapult.
* Originally, towers were simple square–shapes, easy to build but also easy to topple down. One of
the smartest ways that a tower was pulled down was a method known as undermining. An enemy's
soldiers would dig a tunnel under one corner of a tower, prop it up with wood, and

How Did Normans Build Motte And Bailey Castles
Castles were constructed strategically as military structures to defend against attackers and enemies.
They were built to maximize their defense features and limit any weaknesses that the enemy could
capitalize on. Around the 10th century, Normans began to build motte and bailey castles to protect
themselves from any Viking invasions or attacks which depended on the element of surprise. Motte
and bailey castles got their name from their motte which is a mound of earth and their bailey, a flat
enclosed area that is usually surrounded by a wooden fence. On top of the motte was the keep which
was a tower or structure that operated as the last line of defense. The motte was sometimes human–
made and was combined with a nearby hill. The keep was also where ... Show more content on
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Castles began to be built with stone instead of timber and became stronger to withstand sieges. For
example, castles included drawbridges and other features such as ditches, rivers and moats were
built to encircle the castle. As the construction of castles improved and new innovations were
integrated, concentric circle castles emerged in the 12th century. These were castles with an inner
wall and an outer wall, hence the name, concentric, which means a circle inside another circle. The
inner wall was higher than the outer wall which allowed archers to shoot over the outer walls and
the outer wall was thicker to have a strong first line of defense. More important structures were built
within the inner wall and the multiple walls construction made the castle more durable during the
event of a siege or an attack. When an attack occurred, the concentric design of the castle resulted in
many attackers getting struck in the middle of the inner and outer walls. The soldiers defended the
castle took advantage of the situation and the attacker would be bombarded with traps, hot liquid
and murder

Concentric Circle Castles
In 1066, there was a new way of construction due to the arrival of the Normans. The Normans
brought the Motte and Bailey Castles and the Concentric Circle Castles to Europe. Castles were
used by royalty to have secure protection from attacks. Castles would be expensive and take a long
time to build, making it only available to the rich and powerful. The first castles that were built
during the arrival of the Normans were the Motte and Bailey Castles, which then progressed into the
Concentric Circle Castles. Motte and Bailey Castles were the first castles brought by the Normans in
1066. They were wooden and kept on an "an artificial mound" called a motte (Johnson). The castle
would be surrounded by an enclosed courtyard called a bailey. The whole area would be surrounded
by a "ditch and palisade" for extra protection (Johnson). The mote would be used as a final fighting
destination when the castle itself had been breached. Many of the Motte and Bailey Castles were
built on "river crossings and crossroads" because ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The people needed stronger, more durable castles so they would be protected. The Concentric Circle
Castles were much superior to the Motte and Bailey Castles. The Motte and Bailey Castles were
made out of wood, which made it effortless to burn down. Concentric Circle Castles were made out
of stone, so it was not as easy to burn it. Concentric Circle Castles could last in rainy weather, which
Motte and Bailey Castles could not. Concentric Circle Castles were a lot taller and bigger, and had
more security. One of the features of the castle was the ability to attack from the inside. This made it
easier to handle attacks. Since methods of attacking castles improved as time went on, this was a
major necessity when building a castle. The Motte and Bailey Castles turned into Concentric Circle
Castles, which was helpful to the Lords and

Motte And Bailey Castles In Europe During The Middle Ages
Motte and bailey castles have been built all over Europe during the Middle Ages, especially in
England, Wales, and Scotland. They were extremely popular for almost 200 years, and motte castles
continued to be built until the 13th century. They were very innovative during the Medieval time
period. Motte and bailey castles were hard work to construct and eventually evolved into
impressive, more advanced fortresses. The original motte and bailey castles were incredibly cheap
to construct. They were built from just earth and wood and didn't require any special design. A
wooden keep called a motte sat on an elevated bank of soil and overlooked the bailey, an enclosed
courtyard. Although some cases consisted of the motte sitting upon a hill, most of the time mottes
were on a man–made piece of earthwork. Men would pile up dirt and clay and flatten out the top to
create a stable surface for the motte. The keep was the building, originally made of wood, that sat
upon the motte. This is where the lord and his wife lived. It was surrounded by a protective wall, ...
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Concentric castles were made of stone and built primarily for protection and defense. The building
of these concentric designs began in the 1200s. The castles consisted of thick walls surrounding the
main castle, usually one large wall surrounding a smaller one. The walls were designed to create
obstacles for anyone trying to attack the castle. The hard, tall walls made it difficult for the attacker
to get at the castle and made it easier for the defenders to fire at them from above. Its symmetrical
shape also made it easier for lookout men to see across the surrounding countryside. The concentric
castles, as beneficial as they were, were also extremely expensive and time–consuming to build. As
opposed to motte and bailey castles, which only took a few weeks to build, concentric castles
required years of

Exploration of Castles Essay
Exploration of Castles
A.D 450 saw the creation of castles. Romans were "replaced" by Anglo Saxon foes, and these did
leave behind a system of castles however these were for Motte and Bailey castles built in the reign
of Edward the confessor.
The Norman invasion of 1066 was one of the causes for castles to become an important part of
defence. After king Harold's defeat by William the conqueror, William was concerned about how he
would control the country with only a limited number of troops facing a hostile environment. He did
not have enough troops to station them everywhere, so he used a very useful tactic that had worked
in Normandy previously. This was a simplified castle known as a ... Show more content on
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The pathways and ladders that allowed reach to important areas of the castle have been removed or
destroyed; and the enemy are at a disadvantage because they are facing attack from a raised level.
As time progressed, the situation in England changed. The Normans were now in control of England
and there was little resistance from hostile sources, therefore a concentration on the development of
castles occurred.
Less time was needed for castles to be constructed quickly and therefore time could be used to
search for better materials for building. This meant that stone could be used instead of wood, which
was used previously. By 1100, the earth that had held Motte and bailey castles had now settles, and
was capable of sustaining much larger weights. With the change to stone castles, fire was not a
concern as it was when Motte and baileys were in use.
Square keeps were used when the development of stone castles were quite young. They were often
built in the most important places, to show how powerful the Normans were. Square keeps were
good because of the immense thickness of the walls. The walls in square keeps were often up to 5
metres thick, and 30 metres high. This added to the strength of the castle because the walls could
easily withstand attacks from siege weapons such as magonels and trebuchets.
Text Box: Because of the

Essay On Medieval Castles
Castles were built as symbols of security, wealth, power and control. But, castles weren't only for
defense against the foreign invaders; they were also served as a basic tool in preserving the king's
and noble's power over the land. This essay will be proving the hypothesis that medieval castles
changed dramatically over 400–500 years due to the development of weapons used to destroy or
capture them. Firstly, it will talk about the Motte and Bailey castle, outlining a range of problems
within it and why it eventually became redundant. Secondly, it will confer about the stone keep
castle that replaced the motte and bailey castle, the problems it outlined and why it also leveled out.
Then, it will discuss about the concentric castle that took over the stone keep castle and why they
became inessential. After that, it ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Concentric castles were built in the 12th and 13th century. They were surrounded by two sets of
walls that were built at different height levels. The inner wall provided the archers a vantage point.
The symmetrical shape of the castle helped provide a superior view for the lookout men across the
neighboring country. Death hole was the name given to the space between the two walls. If
invaders/attackers broke in, they would be trapped and killed between the two walls. For additional
protection, these castles were often surrounded by a moat where as a drawbridge was used for
entering inside the castle. The Beaumaris Castle can be found in Wales. King Edward I first
assigned most of the concentric castles. Concentric castles soon became redundant, as they were
very expensive to build and required a lot of man power as well as labor resources. Siege warfare
was mainly applied when trying to take over the concentric castles. The castles would be destroyed
due to the bombardment from the ballista, the mangonel and the trebuchet. Also the wide spread use
of gunpowder ended the castles in

Castles In The Middle Ages
Castles evolved over the time from the early beginnings of the Middle Ages all the way to the end of
the period. These significant pieces of architecture started out as a simple structures and eventually
turned into something a lot more complex and innovative. The castles were where the kings and
lords lived with their families. Also, a bunch of staff members lived there. They were needed to
carry out all the jobs. The system is called manorialism and it is when peasants and/or serfs would
do work in the lord's estate or castle (Feudalism in Europe). The reasons these castles were built was
to ensure protection to the important people of the time. Most castles in the Medieval Period
included a moat around the perimeter, a keep which was a ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
They needed to defend their territory. The first real castles they built were motte–and–bailey castles.
These castles had a large mound, or motte, and then the keep would go on top of that. It was almost
impossible to get up that motte. The other aspect of these special castles was the bailey. This is
where the followers of the lord lived. There were many structures inside the bailey including
"stables, storehouses, bakeries, kitchens, houses, and quarters for soldiers" ("Castle"). A wooden
fence called the palisade surrounds the building and a ditch called a fosse also surrounds the bailey.
Windsor castle was one of the first motte–and–bailey castles built in Europe. Concentric castles had
two or three walls that went around the keep. The inside walls were built even higher than the walls
that were on the outside. This meant that the soldiers/defenders were able to "fire arrows over the
heads of the soldiers defending the outside walls" ("Castle"). There was also a death hole which was
in the middle of two walls which would trap an intruder who entered. A moat could also be added
for extra protection. These two castles were common in that time

The Functions of a Medieval Castle Essay
The building of a castle was a monumental task; it required many laborers and took many years to
complete. When a lord had decided to build a castle, he would hire a Master Builder to design and
build the castle. He would choose a design for the castle. The castle was meant to be the fortress of
the lord so it had to be strong. Castles had many different types of defense to protect the Lord and
his family. The many types of defense that castles had meant that those attacking had to develop
ever more strategic and powerful ways to attack the castle. When the King or Lord had decided to
build his castle, he would hire a Master Builder to design the castle and to hire the laborers for the
building of the castle. Construction of the new ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It was also protected by wooden Palisades (walls) and a moat (14–15). The wood would eventually
rot and have to be replaced. The wood could also be burned during attacks (16). Later they began to
build castles using stone. These stone castles took many years to complete (13). In the beginning
only the keeps were changed to stone and kept the same square layout (18). Eventually it was found
that the square corners were a weak spot in the design and changed to a rounded profile (Jarrow 29).
Later the wooden walls were changed to stone. The new curtain walls were much larger. They were
often between fifteen and thirty–five feet tall, and six to nine feet thick. Though some were built
much larger (19). Third, the castle was also the home of lords, nobles, and kings. This is why castles
had to be built strong enough to with stand days of constant battering, or months of blockade. The
strongest part of the castle was the keep. The lord and his family lived in the keep that was usually
on top of a motte (Jarrow 15). In the keep is where the lord and his family would eat, sleep, and
store supplies and weapons (Jarrow 15). As castles were built stronger with thick stone walls the
keep lost its importance and was often unused. This allowed the lords and their families to have a
much roomier living area that was still well protected from attack (Jarrow 19). Keeps had
everything that was needed. They usually had storage on the lower levels or in the

Medieval Period – Feudal System and Architecture
When people think about the medieval period, they tend to think about the knights in shining armor,
crusades, castles, and kings; however, there was more to the medieval period than just this. There
are also the buildings that housed these great nobles and the men who influenced their design. The
designs for these buildings did no simply materialize out of thin air. These ideas evolved from
concepts derived from various cultures. The interaction between the feudal system and the
architecture of the medieval times influenced the evolution of the later designs.
The early architecture of England starts off with the Carolingian family, who dominated most of
Western Europe politics. They tried to emulate the Roman architecture and also ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Most large windows are arched while the majority of smaller windows are square with a brace to
help bare the weight of the building. The doorways are also arched unless the door is set in a
hallway that is an arch–like shape then the door will be of an ordinary design (Harvey 96). This
style of architecture was not made to stand in war. When the time of the Crusades began England
was unprepared to defend itself. William I, otherwise known as William the Conqueror, led a group
of invaders into England and removed Edward the Confessor from his throne. William implemented
a new type of social structure called feudalism.
Three main things characterize the feudal system after the fall of the Carolingian Empire. First,
there was no defined governmental system present. So the power of rule fell into local landowners.
Second, power was treated as the ruler's possession; the power and right to rule was a private matter
that would be uncontestable by the public. This power could be used as an item of trade, so to speak,
or even a gift. Finally, and perhaps the most dominant characteristic, was the affinity between a
ruling lord and his vassals which, for all intents and purposes, was chiefly military based. William I,
or William the Conqueror, brought about this system and he was both the ruler of England and the
Duke of Normandy. Unfortunately, it is impossible for him to be at two places at once, so it proved a
problem for

Medieval Castles
Medieval Castles Medieval castles were used from the early 10th century right through to the mid
17th century. During this time they changed a lot from the early motte and bailey castles through to
castles with thick stone walls. Motte–and–Bailey Castle The Motte and Bailey Castles The two main
components: the motte, an artificial mound atop which was built a fortified tower called a keep, and
a bailey, which was an enclosure connected to the motte. Many castles of this type also had a ditch
around the bailey. Building Fortifications Many early motte and bailey castles were built of timber,
which meant that they could be constructed quickly in just a few weeks. Choosing A Site Choosing
a site for a castle will need a source of food and drinking water also bends in rivers were really good
because it would give them an extra line of defence. Construction Mottes were artificial mounds
constructed by layers of earth and stones and then compacting them. The stones were to ensure that
the motte would remain solid. The sides of the motte were often covered with a thick layer of clay
this made it even harder for invaders to get up to the keep at ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Moats reduced the risk of tunnelling under the castle. Arrow and Gun Loops these provided a safer
means of firing arrows on the attackers of the castle. They are found in many different styles on the
curtain wall and towers of the castle. The Motte and Bailey Castles were used as a fortified post for
the Cavalry to keep order in the surrounding areas. The castles were intended to intimidate the local
population. Should a castle be attacked the success in defending the Motte and Bailey Castles
depended on how well the castle had been built – the height and the building materials. Their
weapons – the number of arrows and the number of soldiers as opposed to the attacking

Medieval Castle Essay
The Medieval Period lasted from the 10th century to the 17th century; this was the time of castles.
The word castle is derived from the Latin word castellum which means fort. Castles still stand today
as one of the most magnificent structures ever built. Not only are people fascinated with their grand
splendor, but with their luminous presence of authority. Castles were not built for defense alone;
they were symbols of social status, wealth, power, and intimidation. Kings and queens were not the
only people to inhabit castles; noblemen could also construct their own castles. Castles were the
main form of protection for most people living during the Medieval Period. The main purpose of the
castle was for the defense of the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The keep would also house the great hall where the meals would be served. The lord and lady of the
castle would sit at a great table near the end of the hall opposite of any doors to avoid drafts. Men at
arms, guests and other inhabitants would eat on tables that could be removed after the meal. Meals
were very lengthy and consisted of three courses. Apart from bed chambers and the great hall, the
keep contained a chapel and a guard room. In some castles these chapels were only used by the lord
and his family. "Decoration and furniture in castle chapels were just as ornate as any other chapel
that was built separate from the castle." (Hull 2) The guard room is usually located on one of the
lower levels of the keep. Knights and their squires would occupy this room along with the garrison
of the castle. Noblemen who lived in the castle required servants, chamberlains, chaplains, and
cooks to assist them in their daily life. The servants would perform tasks such as cleaning, washing
and serving the meals. The chamberlains would control the events of the great hall while a chaplain
would carry out his duties in the chapel, and the cooks would prepare the meals. The lady of the
castle would oversee the lessons of the children and the household work. Entertainment played a
major role in medieval life; castle lords would host tournaments and games. "We can only imagine
that, though the people worked hard during the Middle Ages, they also compensated by

Case Study: Sheriff Hutton
This walk explores the beautiful countryside to the north–east of Sheriff Hutton, visiting the hamlet
of High Stittenham and the secluded valley of Mowthorpe Dale. The extensive views stretch across
the Vale of York. The name Sheriff Hutton derives from the Old English words 'hoh' and 'tun' which,
when combined mean 'farm on the spur of land'. The prefix of Sheriff originates from its association
with Bertram de Bulmer, the Sheriff of York in 1115, who once held title to the estate. Later the
Bulmers married into the powerful Neville family. The Nevilles became lords of the manor in 1331
after the Bulmers male lineage failed. In 1382 John, Lord Neville obtained a licence to crenellate
and build a new stone castle. The castle had a high curtain wall enclosing a quadrangular inner ward
with a large oblong tower at each corner. Each of the towers stood 100 feet (30m) in height and
provided the living accommodation. The courtyard housed the great hall, and the outer ward
contained all the ancillary buildings, including stables and workshops; storage facilities, such as
barns, sheds and granaries; and quarters for servants, cooks and farm workers. Although the castle
was a mighty fortress, its principal ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
However, much of the present structure is the result of rebuilding and additions carried out between
the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. Inside the church is a white alabaster effigy of a young boy
wearing a long robe and his head, bearing a coronet, rests on a pillow of winged beasts, possibly
gryphons. This statue represents Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, the son of Richard III,
who died in 1484. Furthermore, a small piece of stained–glass above the effigy depicts the 'Sun in
Splendour', a symbol used by the House of York. However, Edward's final resting place remains a
subject for debate, as the tomb below is

The Challenges And Consequences Of The Norman De Veres
PART ONE. The Norman De Veres Aubrey de Vere, Albericus de Vere, de Veer, the first Aubrey de
Vere, Aubrey the Monk, Chamberlain and Queen's Chamberlain Although it is often said that the de
Vere family came across with William at the time of the Conquest, it is more likely that the de Vere
family were in England as landowners from around 1000 AD, being related to the Frankish knight,
Godfroi de Vere and the Norman knight Alphonsus de Vere. This does not preclude Albericus from
being at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, as recounted by contemporary historians, since many
Norman knights gathered to William's standard from all around Europe. Albericus Vere, and his wife
Beatrix, bearing the royal emblem of Anjou and the quartered shield of de Vere and St Mark of
Venice. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
These lands lay principally along the valleys of the Colne and the Stour, straddling the Essex–
Suffolk border and controlling the ports of Dovercourt and Colchester, as well as the main roads
from London into northern East Anglia and the Lincolnshire fens. Aubrey seems to have made his
headquarters at Hengham, now known as Hedingham, standing between two Roman roads and close
to the river. He built a motte and bailey castle – a raised mound with wooden palisade defences and
a ditch surrounding it. A reconstructed castle of this type can be found near to Hedingham at
Stansted Mountfitchet. He also built a castle at Great Canfield, whose earthworks can still be seen,
and possibly one at Castle Camps on the Cambridgeshire border, marked again by

Why Do People Lived During The Middle Ages
Castles The Middle Ages was a period in European history from 476 A.D. which was the fall of
Rome to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 A.D. During the Middle Ages there were lots of things
that influenced how we live today. Castles were an important part of the Middle Ages. This is
because of their design, the life that people lived in them, and because of their history and evolution.
One reason why castles were important during the Middle Ages is because of their design. Castles
were supposed to be designed as a base for military defense. Some of the hand were far from
perfect. They consisted of a motte which was a mound of earth surrounded by a ditch and had a
bailey which is where other buildings would be placed. Later in history stone castles started to
emerge with lots of innovations from the previous designs of castles. One of the reasons why stone
castles became popular was because wood was too flammable. Stone castles were designed with
two curtain walls an outer one and an inner one. Stone castles also consisted of a moat and a
barbican which usually had a draw bridge in order to cross the moat. They also had parapets and a
keep which could be used as a prison, final defensive structure and could even ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Castle life was tough and was strictly governed by the medieval feudal system. Castle life often
revolved around the requirements of the lord or king. Castles were also busy and noisy and even
though they provided protection they were cold and miserable. Another problem with castle life was
hygiene. Nobles lived inside the castle while farmers lived outside. This meant that farmers were
constantly entering and leaving the castle spreading germs and disease. Another reason why hygiene
was a problem was because nobles rarely bathed. If someone in the castle got sick they were said to
be "touched by the devil" and had to leave the

European Castles Research Paper
It seems as if castles have been around forever, but they first types of castles were built between the
11th and 15th centuries in France, Ireland, and England. These castles were called Motte and Bailey.
Motte and Bailey castles consisted of a tower on top of a man made hill with a fence and a ditch
around the outside, sometimes with water. The name moat for the water surrounding the castle
comes from Motte. This was the most popular type of castle in all of Europe, except for
Scandinavia. These castles protected from small attacks. Over the years, castles on the mainland of
Europe became more sophisticated, while these remained the primary style in England, Wales, and
Ireland. The motte is the mound of land that the tower sits on and it can ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
As a last defense, there is another drawbridge that can be put up to seperate the tower on top of the
motte, if attackers get into the bailey. Also there were stables for horses and cattle, a chapel, small
huts for the people, and some shops for merchants. Later on, these castles evolved into Concentric
Circle castles. A simple description of these would be a castle within a castle. These consist of many
buildings, walls, towers, and gatehouses. The main tower was called a Keep and that is where the
Lord and his family lived. The Keep was the strongest part of the castle and it was located in the
center and it was usually a round shape. There was a high wall that surrounded the Keep and the
innermost bailey and there was another wall that surrounded that one. Along with that, there were
many outer walls and baileys inside Concentric Circle castles with many gatehouses as the first line
of defense. And finally the outermost line of defense was a moat. The walls were also significantly
thicker that in Motte and Bailey Castles and there were obviously more of them. With all of these
added defenses, the price of these castles increased, with today's inflation it would be an estimated
$40 million to

Dragon Myths And Legends Essay
Legends tell of gigantic lizard like creatures flying through the sky and being slew by humans.
Beowulf, and Saint George killed dragons in their lives. Dragons lived in places that only crazy
people would ever trek. Dragons are very interesting creatures because they are in legends,heros
slew them in epic battles, and may have hidden themselves in places no mortal man can travel.
Beowulf died by the hand of a dragon. Grendel, a monster who lives at the bottom of a nearby mere,
is provoked by the singing and celebrating of Hrothgar's followers. He appears at the hall late one
night and kills thirty of the warriors in their sleep. For the next twelve years, the fear of Grendel's
fury casts a shadow over the lives of the Danes. Hrothgar and his ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The original castle was made of wood and built in the motte–and–bailey style. The location of the
castle meant that it could watch over the River Thames and Windsor Forest (a royal hunting
ground), as the order's spiritual headquarters and rededicating the chapel there (formerly devoted to
St Edward) in the saint's honour. As is widely appreciated, St George owes much of his popularity in
England to the enthusiasm of Edward III (1312–77). Saint George had killed multiple dragons.
Dragons are very interesting creatures because they are in legends,heros slew them in epic battles,
and may have hidden themselves in places no mortal man can travel. Beowulf died from fighting a
dragon. Asian cultures like, Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian, Korean, Vietnamese believe in dragons.
Saint George saved a princess from a dragon. Extend, go beyond, larger meaning: I believe in my
heart that dragons are alive somewhere in this world. They can hide but we will find them some

The Muotte-Bailey Castle
Castles were the core of a society in the Middle Ages, acting as a fort and defense. One of the first
castles meant to as a defense fort was the motte–bailey castle, one of the earliest fortifications of the
Middle Ages. The motte and bailey castle date back to the early 's, . This design would have the
castle upon an elevated set of land known as the motte. The motte was surrounded by a defensive
ditch which also separated the motte from the palisade, this was known as the bailey. A bridge
connected the motte to the lower bailey, this construct was meant to guarantee that the keep, the
stronghold or center of the kingdom, was harder to get to during invasions. Surrounding the entire
kingdom was a wooden fence that contained a girded and barbed

The Major Changes In Defence at Carisbrooke Castle Essay
The Major Changes In Defence at Carisbrooke Castle
The three periods of development I will cover in this piece of coursework are the Norman Period,
the Medieval Period and the Elizabethan Period.
Each period had many different updates installed due to new threats and advances in technology.
Norman Period 1070 – 1130:
The castle began its existence as a Saxon burgh, which was discovered by William Fitzosbern,
owner of the Isle of Wight, which was given to him by King William 1st. Fitzosbern proceeded to
convert the partly existing burgh into a wooden motte–and–bailey castle by firstly constructing a
campaign fort in one corner, as stated in "The Carisbrooke Castle Official Guide Book" ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Brattices (small wooden sheds) were also attached to wall by small jutting stones; these could be
built quickly and were effective for defence. The holds for the brattices can still be seen today. The
walls were filled with rubble beneath the initial layer to absorb the impact from cannon fire and stop
the wall from crumbling. Crenulations on the top of the curtain walls had wooden flaps to allow
archers to shoot from quickly and not get hit by enemy fire. We saw evidence of this on the
Carisbrooke Castle fieldtrip, where there were small notches in the stone for the flap hinges.
The main gatehouse and drawbridge, with two square towers on either side, was built in 1136 too.
Between the two sturdy gates and portcullises was the "murder zone", which allowed defenders to
pour hot oil and sand etc over invaders as they tried to enter. Later developments to the gatehouse at
around 1378 included the square towers being changed to circular drum towers and crossbow
loopholes being added because of the aforementioned device being invented. Another major
development around this period was the barbican. The barbican ensured that to get close to the
gatehouse, invading troops would have to walk around the barbican first exposing their sides to fire
from the drum towers.
The earthworks were adorned with

Medieval Castle Weapons
The castle was an important aspect of warfare from the 10th to 13th centuries. Castles, particularly
in England, played an essential role in warfare because of the power associated with them. Changes
in castle defense are represented by two important types of castles: the motte and bailey castle and,
later, the concentric castles. As a whole, they became more secure and fluid. Stronger materials were
necessary to ensure more powerful weapons could not penetrate the defenses easily. In addition,
more features were integrated into walls and central structures to allow defenders to have angles to
attack without weakening the defenses. This created complexity in battle because of the increased
number of angles available for shooting. The changes that ultimately led to the concentric castle
were prompted by the rapidly advancing technology used in weapons. The original defenses were no
longer capable of defending against them and therefore had to be fortified further. The specific
structural and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
One feature is an artificial or natural mound of earthen materials, called a motte. A motte could be
up to 30 feet tall and was sometimes surrounded by a moat to keep attackers from scaling it and
breaching the main defenses. On top of the motte was a donjon or wooden tower, the primary area
of defense. There was an area on top of the tower to allow for the garrison to shoot the attackers
from a higher angle. Lastly, a bailey was a courtyard surrounded by walls, ideally circular. Because
castles were used for residential and administrative purposes along with warfare, they had important
buildings and people to defend. There were often multiple baileys encompassing the various
buildings, but the outer bailey was the most important. While rather simple compared to later
castles, its structure was sufficient for defending against the weapons at the

The Mootte-And-Bailey: The Most Common Form Of Castle
History is made and altered throughout time. A motte–and–bailey is a major part of our history,
especially of castles. It was a form of castle on a raised surface that was surrounded by a ditch and
protective fence. It was the most common form of castle in Europe in the 11th century in many
places.
The motte parts were mounds crowned by a tower. A ditch was around them and it was sometimes
filled with water. Because of the mottes, it added another way of defence. Another way of
technically describing a motte is a mound, natural or artificial, topped with a tower. The tower is
also referred to as a "keep" ("Motte"). The outer surface of the mound could be covered with clay or
wooden supports. The earlier the mottes were, the more they were

The Medieval Castles Of The Middle Ages
There was time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the reformation. This was called the
middle ages. This time was crammed with war, the struggle for power, disease, and illiteracy.
Although, there was much intelligence that was sparked around this time (Castles of the Middle
Ages). The first castle was introduced in 1066. This gigantic beauty was named the Motte and
Bailey and was constructed in England (Motte and Bailey Castles). Castle designs soon spread
throughout Europe. This was a way to defend royalty and ended up being a big advantage when
used against their enemies (Middle Ages). Castles played a very significant role in this day in age
when it came to their economic and social role and their military. They were very specifically ...
It was dark, cold, and even smelly. It was consistently filled with busy work, and not very
comfortable at all to rest in (Life in a Medieval Castle). They are described as gloomy, wet places.
The fireplaces filled the rooms with smoke, the only lights used were from lights that flickered, the
furniture was damp, and the floors were bare stone and sometimes covered with the skin of animals.
In this day of age, it was better to be living in a gloomy, gross place than being without defense
(Middle Ages for Kids Medieval Castles). Castles are now viewed as romantic places that only the
affluent can live in. It's viewed as the perfect life, but it was never really "the perfect place to live"
until the twelfth

The Foss Walk
This pleasant walk, starting from the hilltop village of Crayke, follows part of the Foss Walk to
Oulston. Due to the agricultural nature of the valley, ploughed fields and crops are likely; therefore
parts of the walk may be muddy.
The village stands on the steep, southern slopes of Castle Hill and its name derives from the Celtic
word 'creig' meaning crag or rock. There has been a settlement here since at least AD 685, when
Ecgfrith, King of Northumbria gave Crayke, together with all the land within a three–mile radius, to
St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne. Shortly afterwards, St Cuthbert established a monastery,
adjacent to the site of the present castle, which survived until Danish marauders destroyed it towards
the end of the ninth century. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The spacious, well–kept green has a circle of stones marking the site of the old draw–well and the
building which enclosed it until the 1940s. Several houses in the village have a black and white crest
set into their front walls. The crest bears the monogram GOW below the figure of a unicorn,
representing Sir George Orby Wombwell of Newburgh Priory, who fought in the Crimean War
against Imperial Russia. On October 25th, 1854, Sir George took part in the suicidal charge, down a
'valley of death' against a battery of Russian artillery, which became known as the Charge of the
Light Brigade. Despite having his horse shot from under him, Sir George survived; he managed to
capture a riderless horse and eventually returned to the British

Task 1 Defending A Castle Description
Task 1
Attacking a castle Description Defending a castle Description
Siege towers A mobile wooden structure, usually used as a cover for archers Strong walls The basis
of any castle, the walls must be strong enough to withstand heavy bombardment from siege
weapons
Mangonel A standard type of torsion powered siege catapult for throwing boulders. Round towers
The optimal construction type of a tower with no weak points
Trebuchet A heavy siege machine for throwing boulders over and into defensive structures Moats A
wide trench around the outer walls of the castle usually filled with water to prevent enemy units
crossing
Siege ladder The big ladders leaned on fortifications to allow ground troops to get on Portcullis
Heavy metal gate usually dropped from above to prevent the advance of the attacking units
Battering rams Heavy logs, sometimes reinforced with a layer of metal, used to crash through the
gates and other defensive structures Barbican Passage The passage to the castle usually defended by
a few gates, and an awful lot of traps 
Mining Sometimes to weaken the defences the attackers dug under the base of the wall which
sometimes led to full destruction of the wall or tower which breached the castle's defences Murder
Holes The traps usually located inside barbican passages through which heavy objects or ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The main threat to a hall or lord's home was fire since it was usually made from wood. To protect
against this danger, and keep away other threats, there were few choices of decisions available:
create encircling earthworks to keep an enemy at a distance, raise it up on an artificial terrain,
known as a motte or build the hall in stone, to present more obstacles to attackers. The idea of
ramparts, stone walls and ditches as defensive measures was used in the ancient times, but using a
motte for additional defense was an innovation of medieval

How Norman Castles Changed During The Middle Ages
Introduction
Castles first came to England in 1066 when William, Duke of Normandy, won the battle of
Hastings. The Normans needed castles because they had taken control of England by force and were
hated by many English people. The Normans had to protect themselves from English rebellions and
they needed to keep power over and show strength to the English people. William made sure that
castles were built all over England in major towns. The first castles were built very quickly and
were very simple, but during the reign of William and throughout the rest of the Middle Ages
(1066–1500) the design of castles changed. In this essay I will talk about how much castles changed
during the Middle Ages and the reasons for this.
Motte & ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Better living conditions for the Norman barons with bedrooms, kitchens, a chapel and toilets
(Garderobes).
Square Keep castles had lots of strengths: They were a show of power against the English and really
difficult to attack because of their thick stone walls and height. They also gave better living
conditions. They did still have weaknesses though: They were expensive, took a long time to build,
they could not be moved and they could still be attacked by enemies by:
Setting really hot fires under the corners (weak points) until they collapsed.
Using battering rams.
Starving out the Normans by not letting food in.
Tunneling and mining under the castle walls.
Using archers and catapults to fire arrows and rocks over the castle walls.
The corners were blind spots – an attacker could hide behind corners.
These problems led to a change of design towards the end of the 12th Century once Edward I
became king. Under his reign the design of round stone castles and keeps began. The round castle
keep meant that there was nowhere the enemy could not be seen and took away the weaknesses of
having corners.
Concentric Castles (1239 – 1400)
Concentric castles were a castle within a castle idea and were built to be as difficult to attack as
possible. Castles were very important as there were still lots of wars in England with many people
fighting for power.

Medieval Castle Research Paper
Castles were exemplary constructions of the medieval period. Scattered throughout Europe, castles
were an essential element to lords or wealthy nobles who owned a vast collection of rich land. War
and conflict however plagued the medieval period as the feudal system provided power through the
control of vast land. Castles began sprouting and were a common sight, as they were the most
effective way of repelling any attack. This essay will outline the main features within a medieval
castle such as the lord's bedroom, the castle chapel and the dungeon as well as how the defences like
moats, loopholes and overall design evolved to improve castle defences.
Castles were massive structures and provided not only protection but also other services to the
social hierarchy who inhabited the estate. Almost every castle had numerous rooms or sections such
as the great hall, a chapel and a dungeon. Each one of these sections within the castle served its
purpose wether it was in ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
These weapons would prove to become an important defensive armament that could be used to repel
enemy invaders who were scaling or attempting to knock down castle walls. Castles began
implementing loopholes and arrow slits, which acted to provide a better firing position.
Early castles weren't designed to accommodate the use of these weapons so loopholes and arrow
slits were not as common in castles during the earlier medieval era. This changed nonetheless and
castles from around 1200AD started to adopt a range of simple and complex design such as straight
slits or a cross to act as a loophole (source 7). These different shapes improved vision and firing for
whoever was looking or firing through these slits.
These loopholes evolved not only in shape but also their placement on walls as height played a
major factor for the effectiveness of ranged weapons and sight beyond the

Medieval Castles Why Were They Important
What are castles?
Castles are immense building in the medieval times. They were built by an important person or a
ruler such as a king. The castle was to protect the people from inside out, castles were both a home
and a fortress
What were they used for?
Castles were used as a home and a fortress, they were build and used for safety from other kings but
also built for a home and a place for the king and or queen to stay. Castles were also build to
flourish that the owners were wealthy.
Why were they important
Castles were built of hilltops or surrounded by water, to make them easier to defend. The castle was
important because it was a home to the kings, the king was where are the decisions were made, it's
like the president today. It was also protection to the king. Castles are also a good artefact because
we get to see and idea of our past.
During the 12th century the castles had improved and had been strengthened by using stone as a
building material. The use of a motte and a bailey castles was replaced with walls of stone. The
approach or attacking and capturing the castles had improved over time, so the castles needed to
improve as well. The castles needed to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It's called "the curtain" because it covered the castle and everything within. This wall was the
primary source of defence, it was designed to be incredibly sturdy and resistant against attckers. The
outer curtain wall was more than 2 meters wide (more than 6ft). Generally the middle or centre of
the wall would be made out of harsh rocks and rubble and the outer parts were made out of gigantic
stone. The gigantic stone was laid like a modern day brick. In the late medieval period, about 1300s,
castles had a new innovation. Castles were being built with an inner wall and an outer wall. It was
basically a castle in a castle, the design worked perfectly. Barely any attackers were able to get into
the castle and capture

Essay about The Origin of Norwich Castle
The once subjugated Saxons were required to raise a knoll that was twenty–one meters high and
surrounded by a dry trench. There were Wooden pikes or posts that protected the buildings on top of
the knoll, while to in the south and east of the knoll there were yards that were protected by banks
and ditches this all this was to set in motion the ground work for the castle of Norwich. Edward
Boardman a Norwich born architect completed the Norwich Castle, a medieval and fantastic defense
structure in the city of Norwich which was one of the greatest castles of its time because of its
architecturally advanced structure, a symbol of military power, and a symbol of political control that
was founded by the Normans.
Norwich Castle, a royal ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Lanfranc was Regent for William the Conqueror while the king was away in Normandy. Lanfranc
went stopping the rebellion anyway possible. Ralph de Guader fled to his home castle in Doc,
Brittany. Ralph de Guader left his wife, Emma to stay behind and defend Norwich Castle, the siege
lasted for three months. A deal was finally made between Lanfranc and Emma, and her soldiers
received safe passage to Brittany. Lanfranc then placed the Castle with three–hundred of his best
soldiers, and removed the rebels from the area. Waltheof was eventually caught and beheaded for
his crime and the others were dismembered. The rebellion was at an end, from 1067, the Normans
completely removed and destroyed around ninety–eight Saxon homes in Norwich. This was to clear
a way for the castle ground work within which they would build a wooden fort, surrounded by deep,
defensive trenches. They placed a barracks of soldiers to keep law and order and prevent any future
rebellions from happening, under William the Conqueror who now ruled. Once the mound, had
settled, William Rufus II began to build the stone Keep in about 1094. Following William's death in
1100, his brother Henry I succeeded him, and completed the Keep by 1121. The Keep is about
21.5m tall; its walls were constructed to withstand most attacks from invaders, and are about 3
meters thick at the base and slowly narrowing as they get higher. The original doorway to the Keep
is on the first floor on its eastern

How Have Castles Changed Over Time
Castles are huge, strong houses, where kings and lords once lived with their families, soldiers and
servants. They were built to provide safety from attack and to display the owner's wealth. The first
proper castles were built in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They were introduced by
William the Conqueror, when he invaded England from his homeland in France. Castle designs have
changed over history. This is because of changes in technology over time. The first castles were
simply 'mounds' of earth, and medieval castle designs improved on these basics – adding ditches in
the Bailey design, which is the name given to the lay out of the castle. In Goodrich Castle the great
hall was an important status symbol. Its cheer size and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The earliest Motte and Bailey castles were simply a wooden blockhouse placed on a mound. The
rapid construction of the Motte and Bailey castles enabled the Normans to control the conquered
English.
In the 12th century Goodrich Castle, was replaced with stone. This decreased the level of
destruction during wars. As a development of Stone Keep castles, concentric castles were built from
1250 onwards. The concentric design was copied from the castles in the Middle East; knowledge
and understanding of design and structure came into England through returning crusaders (soldiers)
during the 1200's.
The castles were built to demonstrate the strong bond between the King and his nobility. They were
seen as a reflection of a more stable and secure society with respect for law and the authority of the
government.
The castle was owned by many rich men. In 1086 the castle was owned by Godric Mappestone. In
1204 king John gave Goodrich castle to William Marshall, he built towers and more walls. Then the
castle and earldom was passed to William de Valence, the husband of Marshall's niece and half–
brother to Henry III. Now it's in hands of the English

How To Build Stone Castle
Which types of castle was the most efficient and effective for Normans to build when they were
trying to keep control of England?
Section A – motte and bailey castles
There were many advantages in building motte and Bailey castles. Firstly they were easy and quick
to build, unlike stone castles which could take up to 20 years to build. This was useful because this
meant that the Normans could build a castle quickly and could therefore establish enough
protection, to build stone castles. Secondly Motte and Bailey castles were constructed out of wood
and this was easy to acquire, unlike stone which had to be transported all the way from France. This
was useful because it meant that a Motte and Bailey castle was easy to build and would hardly ...
This was a problem because it would take a long time for the stone to arrive. Secondly, the castle
would take up to twenty years to build. This was a problem because the Normans have to build their
castles quickly, in order to defend Britain and survive. Thirdly, trying to build a stone castle would
cost a lot of money. This was a problem because money is very precious and cannot be returned
when spent.
Section C – evidence to support your statements.
A good example of a stone castle to show this is Corfe Castle.
I have chosen this because it clearly shows the main features of a stone castle. It is also the biggest
castle, that the Normans have ever built. This supports my view that stone castles last long and that
they do not have to be replaced so often, with new parts.
Section D – Conclusion
Overall I think the best type of castle for the Normans to have built is a stone castle.
This is because they are strong, not flammable and last very long. It is better than the other type
because that one always had to be replaced, it was weak, not strong, flammable and easy to
penetrate. Therefore stone castles are the best, even if they do take around twenty years to

How Did Castles Change In England Between 1066 And 1500

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