What do castles reveal?

Monday 20th October

1. Where are the most castles?

2. Why do you think this is the case?

3. What does it reveal about the manner in which the Normans used castles?

Objectives

• Understand the various functions of a Norman castle

• Analyse their use by the conqueror for controlling the country

Wider reading – Gravett, Norman Stone Castles is in the library

What are the purposes of castles?

• Read Purser p42-6 and examine the diagrams.

• Try to generate a list with as many purposes as possible.

• TIP – think beyond the military…

Write the script for an estate agent’s pitch to King William or a magnate about why building a castle would be beneficial to them.

You must identify features of castles and explain how they can be used.

• EXT –go on to also explain who would be best suited to run these castles.

Plenary

• How important were castles to William’s control of the kingdom?