Lesson: The Evolution of Medieval Castles

Year: 7 | Subject: History | Time Allocation: 100%

Class/Set: ____________ Date/Term: ____________

LO (WALT): To explain the development of castle design from Norman Motte and Bailey to Stone Keeps.

Success Criteria (WILF):

1. I can identify and describe the key features of a Motte and Bailey castle.
2. I can compare the advantages and disadvantages of timber versus stone construction.
3. I can use the PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) structure to justify why castle designs evolved over time.

1. Starter (15%)

• Analyse: Display a source image of a 1066 Motte and Bailey castle. Students have 2 minutes to list as many defensive features as they can see.
• Discuss: Cold-call students to explain why William the Conqueror needed to build these structures quickly after the Battle of Hastings.
• Bridge: Introduce the concept that while these were "fast-food" castles, they had significant weaknesses that required a more permanent solution.

2. Main Activity (70%)

Teacher Input:

• Explain: Define the key Tier 3 terms: Palisade, Keep, Motte, Bailey, and Concentric.
• Demonstrate: Use a map of the UK to show the distribution of Norman castles, highlighting the 'White Tower' in London as the shift toward stone.
• Model: Explicitly model a PEE paragraph on the board. Point: Stone castles were more effective than wooden ones. Evidence: Stone does not burn and cannot be easily rotted by the British weather. Explanation: This meant the King could maintain control over a rebellious population for decades without needing constant repairs.

Student Task:

• Label: Use the provided diagram of a Motte and Bailey to correctly identify the Motte, Bailey, Ditch, and Palisade.
• Compare: Complete the 'Material Comparison Table' below to evaluate the transition from wood to stone.
• Draft: Write one PEE paragraph answering the question: "Why did the Normans eventually replace wooden castles with stone ones?"
• Inquire: For 'Greater Depth' students, research and list two ways attackers tried to overcome stone walls (e.g., mining or trebuchets).

Feature	Motte & Bailey (Wood)	Stone Keep
Build Speed	Fast (8-14 days)	Slow (10+ years)
Cost	Cheap/Local Timber	Expensive/Skilled Labour
Defence	Vulnerable to Fire	Fireproof/Solid
Height	High (on the Motte)	Very High (Multiple Floors)

3. Plenary (15%)

• Evaluate: 'The Siege Specialist' activity. If you were a medieval knight defending your land, which castle type would you prefer and why?
• Reflect: Students must provide one reason why a King might still choose to build a wooden castle even after stone became popular (focusing on speed and immediate control).

4. Resources

• Diagram of a Motte and Bailey (Student Copy).
• A3 'Castle Evolution' Timeline.
• Images of the Tower of London and Pickering Castle.
• PEE sentence starter mats for literacy support.

---

⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE

💡 Pedagogical Pulse

• Context: For Year 7, this lesson acts as a bridge between the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and the consolidation of Feudalism.
• Misconception Alert: Students often believe castles were built primarily for 'comfort' or as 'palaces'. Emphasise that for the first 200 years, they were military 'power-statements' and prisons as much as homes.
• Differentiation: For SEND students, provide a 'cloze' passage for the PEE paragraph where they only fill in the 'Explanation' keywords.
• Safety & Nuance: When discussing sieges, remain focused on the architectural and tactical aspects to align with the 'Prevent' duty and age-appropriateness.

🔑 Answer Key

• Task 1 Answer (Labeling):

  • Motte: The large mound of earth.
  • Bailey: The enclosed courtyard at the base.
  • Palisade: The wooden defensive fence.
  • Keep: The strong tower on top of the Motte.

• Task 2 Answer (Comparison Table):

  • Wood: High vulnerability to fire, prone to rot, but very fast and cheap to build for an invading army.
  • Stone: Extremely durable, high status, fireproof, but required specialised 'masons' and significant wealth.

• Task 3 Answer (PEE Model):

  • Point: The Normans replaced wood with stone to increase the permanence of their occupation.
  • Evidence: For example, the White Tower was built of stone to show the English that the Normans were never leaving.
  • Explanation: This was effective because, unlike wooden palisades, stone walls could not be burnt down by English rebels, ensuring the King's safety and continued tax collection.