However, the timber castles did have disadvantages. They were very vulnerable to attacks using fire and the wood would eventually start to rot. Due to these disadvantages, King William ordered that castles should be built in stone. Many of the original timber castles were replaced with stone castles. Over time, stone castles were built in different architectural styles as builders experimented with castle-building techniques.
In their infancy, castles were primarily military fortifications used to defend conquered territories from attack. The strategic location of the castle was paramount. However, once the Normans began to consolidate their control over England, castles began to take on a variety of different roles.
Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration. Castles were not only built and used by the crown. In fact, the majority of castles were granted by the king to his loyal lords and nobles along with large areas of land. In return for these grants, the king expected his nobles to control and administer these lands on his behalf.
The castle itself also represented a whole group of people who contributed to its function from constables, masons, blacksmiths and servants to name a few. Use this lesson with original documents to find out more about the role of Framlingham, Portchester, Stokesay, Berwick, Alnwick, and Pevensey castles in medieval society.
The purpose of this enquiry is to allow students to explore documents relating to the general function of castles. Did some people find them intimidating?
Did a king view a castle in the same way as a peasant? Why were castles built? Where were castles built? What is the biggest castle in England? What is the biggest castle in the world? Follow me on Twitter mbarrow. This site uses cookies. See our Cookie Policy for information. T hey were very difficult to attack because of their size. You would be left in your castle unable to do anything.
I f the enemy attacked you, it could decide to simply starve out by surrounding you. What could you do if this happened? As time moved on and those with power felt more comfortable, they could afford to build bigger castles. These are known as concentric castles. These were bigger in all respects than square keep castles and the most famous king associated with them is Edward I who built numerous concentric castles in north-west Wales.
He believed that this was a vulnerable part of his kingdom and that the Welsh could not be trusted. Windsor Castle, which is still used by the British royal family today, was originally built by William the Conqueror as a motte and bailey castle, and has subsequently been occupied by 39 reigning monarchs.
Under Edward, Windsor Castle hosted jousts, tilts and festivities to promote the popular cult of chivalry. The main secret entrance was known as the postern. The Parliamentarians then attacked the castle from both the inside and the outside simultaneously and the fortification soon fell.
Despite the elaborate design of castles and their impenetrable two-metre thick outer walls, the chosen location of a fortification was its most important form of defence and strategy. Some castles were built close to the sea, a location that served two purposes: not only did it enable the sighting of any incoming naval invasions, but it was hoped that imposing clifftop stone fortresses would help to repel unwanted invaders by demonstrating military strength.
Castles were also often built on hilltops. This ancient choice of location served the simple purpose of enabling its residents to see for miles around from a great height. Any attackers could be easily spotted and preparations for defence put into place. Equally, if built at a great height, many castles would be logistically impossible to attack, for siege weapons such as trebuchets could not force their way close enough to the castle walls.
During the Albigensian Crusades of the 13th century, the complex served as a place of refuge for the persecuted Cathars, who came from nearby Carcassone. In , meanwhile, it consistently resisted the forceful attacks of Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester. TV A new online only channel for history lovers. Sign Me Up. There were four different types The first were Roman forts, reused by the Normans following their invasion of England.
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