BEFORE CASTLES - HILL FORTRESSES

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1 Castles THE DEVELOPMENT OF CASTLES BEFORE CASTLES - HILL FORTRESSES A huge hill-fort from 100 BC, used as protection for families and animals

2 BEFORE CASTLES? FORTS AND FORTRESSES Chesters Roman Camp, Northumberland 2nd century AD. PORTCHESTER ROMAN FORT, Portsmouth A fort or fortress is used purely by and for soldiers 4 th century AD

STAGES IN THE NORMAN CONQUEST OF ENGLAND 1066-1070

The motte and bailey castle was first introduced by

3 STAGES IN THE NORMAN CONQUEST OF ENGLAND LOCATION OF MAIN CASTLES THE FIRST CASTLES: MOTTE AND BAILEYS Castle Wall Defending troops Motte Attacking Troops What are these soldiers doing? The motte and bailey castle was first introduced by the Normans around 1050 AD. This scene comes from the Bayeux Tapestry.

THE FIRST CASTLES: MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLES Helmsley Castle

BUILDING A MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE: The Normans had invented a

It was a bit like making sandcastles but on a much bigger scale.

This was called a motte which is French for mound.

wooden fence. This was the strongest point of the castle.

4 THE FIRST CASTLES: MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLES Helmsley Castle under construction, 1075 AD. BUILDING A MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE: The Normans had invented a way of building castles quickly. It was a bit like making sandcastles but on a much bigger scale. After digging a ditch, they raised a great mound in the middle. This was called a motte which is French for mound. On top of the mound they built a tower and surrounded it with a wooden fence. This was the strongest point of the castle. Below the motte there was another enclosure surrounded by a fence. This was called the bailey. The Normans built motte and bailey castles all over England

5 A TYPICAL MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE WATCH TOWER MOTTE STOCKADE BAILEY DRAWBRIDGE DITCH BRIDGE What were the advantages and disadvantages of this type of castle? A MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE SURROUNDED BY A MOAT Berkhamsted Castle, one of the first to be built by the Normans.

A few soldiers in a motte and bailey could dominate a large area Being made of wood of meant motte and baileys could be burnt down.

6 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Could be built quickly, in a matter of 4 to 7 days. Cheap to build. Used local resources eg, peasants to do the work and trees for materials Only needed a few soldiers to defend the castle. A few soldiers in a motte and bailey could dominate a large area Being made of wood of meant motte and baileys could be burnt down. The timbers of motte and baileys would have to be replaced every ten years or so due to rotting. A castle could be surrounded and their food supply could be cut off. PICKERING CASTLE 1075 AD See how the motte dominates the bailey below and the surrounding area

7 HELMSLEY CASTLE TODAY: What changes have taken place since it was first built? REPLACEMENT OF WOOD BY STONE TOTNES CASTLE, DEVON

stockade (wall) with a stone wall, known as a shell keep.

8 THE SHELL KEEP Restormel Castle in Cornwall. Some castles had their mottes strengthened by replacing the wooden stockade (wall) with a stone wall, known as a shell keep. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE KEEP Orford Castle in Suffolk, 12 th century. The Keep was introduced to replace the Motte. Why?

9 HEDINGHAM CASTLE KEEP 12 th century Keeps were large powerful towers which also served as home for the lord, his family and their servants. A CROSS-SECTION OF SCARBOROUGH CASTLE KEEP Why do you think the entrance was at first floor level?

10 ROCHESTER CASTLE IN KENT See how the Keep dominates the rest of the castle. THE TOWER OF LONDON The first stone Keep built in Britain. Built by the Normans between 1078 and 1090.

What advantage did this new development give to defenders?

11 A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN CASTLE DESIGN SQUARE TOWERS ALONG THE CURTAIN WALL. Frangocastello Castle, Crete. Square towers were introduced by the Turks. Crusaders brought the idea back to Europe. What advantage did this new development give to defenders? INTRODUCTION OF SQUARE TOWERS: The walls of Dover Castle. How did towers strengthen the castle defences? Notice the thickness of the base of the towers why?

12 THE GATEHOUSE GUARD TOWERS ARROW SLITS CRENELLATIONS PORTCULLIS DRAWBRIDGE CRENELLATION

13 KRAK DES CHEVALIERS A CRUSADER CASTLE How is this castle different from the previous ones? BODIAM CASTLE, SUSSEX : Curtain-wall and keep, [14 th century].

Notice the inner walls are higher than the outer walls. Notice the towers are round.

14 BEAUMARIS CASTLE, North Wales An example of a concentric castle ie. they had a central courtyard surrounded by more than one wall. Notice the inner walls are higher than the outer walls. Notice the towers are round. Why are round towers better than square towers? PROJECTING WALL TOWERS BEAUMARIS CASTLE What advantage did these give to the defenders?

15 MOAT AND PROJECTING CORNER TOWERS AT BEAUMARIS CASTLE TOWNS ALSO DEFENDED THEMSELVES:

the south-east coast. Notice that the castle is almost all round walls why?

16 BY THE 13OO AD MOST MAJOR TOWNS WERE DEFENDED BY WALLS THE TOWN WALLS OF AVILA IN SPAIN DEAL CASTLE IN KENT (1539) Built by Henry VIII, one of a series to protect the south-east coast. Notice that the castle is almost all round walls why? On the top of the castle are gun platforms. Is Deal more of a fortress than a castle? Explain.

century AD onwards, spelt the end for the

17 CASTLES AND THE CANNON How has the development of the cannon affected the design of the castle? GUNPORTS THE END OF THE AGE OF CASTLES 1550 The use of gunpowder and the introduction of the cannon from the 13 th century AD onwards, spelt the end for the age of castles. From the 14 th century onwards castles began to fall into disuse or were converted into mansion houses for the lords. Herstmonceux Castle was built around 1440.

Earthwork and Timber Castles. Introductions to Heritage Assets

Earthwork and Timber Castles. Introductions to Heritage Assets Earthwork and Timber Castles Introductions to Heritage Assets Summary Historic England s Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs) are accessible, authoritative, illustrated summaries of what we know about