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Medieval Castles 02
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Medieval Castles 02

Medieval castles developed over time, from simple wooden forts to huge stone strongholds that helped kings and lords control land, protect people, and show off their power.

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Fascinating Fact:

Stone keeps replaced wooden towers because stone was stronger, did not burn easily, and impressed local people with its size and strength.

In KS3 History, medieval castles are studied as powerful symbols and military bases. Pupils explore how designs changed from motte-and-bailey forts to complex stone castles with high walls, towers, and gatehouses that controlled trade routes and local people.

Key Terms

  • Keep: The main strong building inside a castle, often used for defence, storage, and living space.
  • Curtain wall: A high, thick wall that surrounds the castle to protect the buildings inside.
  • Siege: A military attack where an army surrounds a castle to cut off supplies and force it to surrender.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was the main purpose of a medieval castle?

Medieval castles were built to defend important places, control surrounding land, and show the power of a king or lord. They also acted as homes, prisons, and centres of local government.

How did castle design change after the Norman Conquest?

After the Norman Conquest, many wooden motte-and-bailey castles were replaced or strengthened with stone. New features, such as stone keeps, curtain walls, and stronger gatehouses, made them harder to attack.

How do historians learn about life in medieval castles?

Historians study castle ruins, written records, objects found in excavations, and drawings from the time. These sources reveal how castles were built, defended, and used by people who lived there.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
In the 13th century Edward I built castles where?
France
Ireland
Spain
Wales
Edward built them to help him conquer Wales
2 .
Why were the circular staircases often built clockwise?
Clockwise stairs made it easier to tell the time
It made them easier to defend
People got less dizzy going up and down them
They were easier to build that way
Right-handed defenders would have an advantage
3 .
Castle defenders could pour boiling oil through holes called what?
Lubrications
Machicolations
Matriculations
Percolations
These are openings in the floor of higher parts of the castle that enable the defenders to drop things like rocks and boiling oil vertically down onto anyone attacking the castle. They are more common in French-built castles and are often built above the main gate
4 .
What is a castle's stone tower called?
Crow's Nest
Keep
Lookout
Obelisk
It is the most highly fortified section of a medieval castle
5 .
Soldiers who lived in a castle were the .......
Battalion
Garrison
Legion
Spongers
These could be from the king or queen's troops or the nobleman's own private army
6 .
What is a castle moat?
A ceremonial hall
A deep ditch around the castle
A flagpole attached to the keep
A storeroom
Moats usually contained water as extra defence
7 .
A trebuchet, used to attack castles, was like a giant .......
Axe
Battering ram
Cannon
Catapult
It hurled large rocks and other missiles
8 .
Crenellations are found in what part of a castle?
Battlements
Fireplaces
Lavatories
Staircases
Crenellations refers to the notches in the battlements
9 .
What type of castles have walls within walls?
Centrifugal
Concentric
Connective
Egocentric
Dover Castle in Kent is a good example
10 .
During the 12th century what material replaced wood for castle building?
Brick
Concrete
Stone
Thatch
Some of it was quarried and some was recycled from older buildings
Author:  Jan Crompton (KS3 Geography & History Teacher, Professional Quiz Writer)
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