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):
- I can identify and describe the key features of a Motte and Bailey castle.
- I can compare the advantages and disadvantages of timber versus stone construction.
- 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.