Although castles existed before the medieval period, they were just fortified villages surrounded by a wooden palisade (large strong fence) and one or more ditches. After the Norman invasion of 1066, a new phase of castle building took place. Instead of housing ordinary people, castles were built to house the Norman soldiers and nobles. They showed off the power of the invaders, provided a safe place for Norman soldiers to live and reminded the British people that they had been invaded and had better watch out should they decide to rebel! The first castles built by the Normans were of a... Show more Although castles existed before the medieval period, they were just fortified villages surrounded by a wooden palisade (large strong fence) and one or more ditches. After the Norman invasion of 1066, a new phase of castle building took place. Instead of housing ordinary people, castles were built to house the Norman soldiers and nobles. They showed off the power of the invaders, provided a safe place for Norman soldiers to live and reminded the British people that they had been invaded and had better watch out should they decide to rebel! The first castles built by the Normans were of a relatively simple motte and bailey design. A motte is a tall mound of earth and stones with steep sides. A fairly simple but strong wooden structure was built on the top of the motte. The bailey was the surrounding area usually protected by a ditch and palisade. A motte and bailey castle could be constructed in less than 3 months by a team of 50 soldiers. Following the Norman invasion, many of the Saxons who lived in England were not happy. They organised into small armies and rebelled against the invaders. One rebellion succeeded in destroying York castle, killing the soldiers who were living there. William the Conqueror was annoyed about that, so he sent his army to the north of England to destroy crops, buildings and to kill as many people as they could. He then took lands from English nobles and gave them to his own knights and nobles who were instructed to build a castle. That is one reason there are so many medieval castles in England. The early motte and bailey castles were replaced by more solid stone structures. The central wooden building was replaced by a fortified stone tower called the keep and the palisade was replaced by a high and very solid stone wall. They were very often square in shape with features like a moat and loup holes to help to repel attackers. Many medieval castles were so well-built that they can still be visited today to give us an exciting link with the past. Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is said to be one of the most haunted castles in Britain and still has its medieval torture chamber. Show less
Although castles existed before the medieval period, they were just fortified villages surrounded by a wooden palisade (large strong fence) and one or more ditches. After the Norman invasion of 1066, a new phase of castle building took place. Instead of housing ordinary people, castles were built to house the Norman soldiers and nobles. They showed off the power of the invaders, provided a safe place for Norman soldiers to live and reminded the British people that they had been invaded and had better watch out should they decide to rebel!
The first castles built by the Normans were of a relatively simple motte and bailey design. A motte is a tall mound of earth and stones with steep sides. A fairly simple but strong wooden structure was built on the top of the motte. The bailey was the surrounding area usually protected by a ditch and palisade. A motte and bailey castle could be constructed in less than 3 months by a team of 50 soldiers.
Following the Norman invasion, many of the Saxons who lived in England were not happy. They organised into small armies and rebelled against the invaders. One rebellion succeeded in destroying York castle, killing the soldiers who were living there. William the Conqueror was annoyed about that, so he sent his army to the north of England to destroy crops, buildings and to kill as many people as they could. He then took lands from English nobles and gave them to his own knights and nobles who were instructed to build a castle. That is one reason there are so many medieval castles in England.
The early motte and bailey castles were replaced by more solid stone structures. The central wooden building was replaced by a fortified stone tower called the keep and the palisade was replaced by a high and very solid stone wall.
They were very often square in shape with features like a moat and loup holes to help to repel attackers. Many medieval castles were so well-built that they can still be visited today to give us an exciting link with the past. Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is said to be one of the most haunted castles in Britain and still has its medieval torture chamber.
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