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Medieval Castles 01
Castles were symbols of authority not only for the king, but also for barons.

Medieval Castles 01

Medieval castles were strong stone fortresses where lords lived, soldiers trained and villagers took shelter. Explore how their walls, towers and gateways helped defenders resist enemy attacks.

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Fascinating Fact:

Features such as moats, drawbridges, portcullises, and murder holes made it difficult and dangerous for attackers to reach the inner castle.

In KS3 History, you explore how medieval castles developed from wooden forts into powerful stone strongholds. You learn how design, defence and siege tactics changed as weapons and warfare improved.

Key Terms

  • Fortification: A strong building or structure, such as a castle wall or tower, designed to protect people from attack.
  • Motte-and-bailey castle: An early medieval castle with a wooden or stone keep on a mound (motte) and a lower enclosed courtyard (bailey).
  • Siege: A military attack where an army surrounds a castle, cuts off supplies and tries to force the defenders to surrender.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why were medieval castles built?

Medieval castles were built to control land, protect important people and defend against enemies. They also acted as centres of local government, justice and storage for food and weapons.

How did attackers try to capture a castle?

Attackers could use ladders, siege towers, battering rams and tunnels, or try to starve defenders in a long siege. They also looked for weak points such as gates or poorly defended walls.

How did castles change over the medieval period?

Castles changed from simple wooden motte-and-bailey designs to thick-walled stone keeps, then to concentric castles with several walls as weapons and siege technology became more powerful.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
Castles were first built in England after which event?
Julius Caesar's invasion
The Battle of Agincourt
The Norman Conquest
The Spanish Armada
The Normans came from France where they used castles to protect themselves from invaders from further north like the Vikings
2 .
Which King had the first castles built?
Harold II
Stephen
William I
William II
He was also known as William the Conqueror
3 .
William was worried about attacks by which people?
Huns
Jutes
Saxons
Vikings
He had defeated the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings
4 .
What were the earliest castles made of?
Brick
Concrete
Earth and wood
Sand and pebbles
Using these made it possible to build a castle in just a few weeks
5 .
A wooden fort built on top of a mound was called a .......
Mite
Moat
Motte
Mount
It protected the most important people
6 .
The enclosed area around the motte was the .......
Bailey
Bailiff
Bailrigg
Bewley
People often lived within the bailey
7 .
What usually protected a motte and bailey castle?
A high hedge
A line of trees
A wooden fence
Electric fences
A wooden bridge or ladder linked the motte to the bailey
8 .
The wooden fence had what special name?
Balustrade
Palisade
Palister
Palladio
A palisade is a simple fence built from stakes of wood hammered into the ground and often sharpened at the top
9 .
As well as the king, castles were symbols of authority for whom?
Barons
Lord Mayors
Priests
Schoolteachers
By 1070 about 400 had been built
10 .
What was an advantage of motte and bailey castles?
The wood rotted fairly quickly
They did not last for very long
They were cheap and quick to build
They were easily set on fire
It was reported that the motte and bailey castle at Dover was built in just eight days
Author:  Jan Crompton (KS3 Geography & History Teacher, Professional Quiz Writer)
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