Home Learning: Medieval Castles

Subject: History | Year: 7

Estimated Time: 30-40 Minutes

Name: _________________________ Class/Set: ____________ Due Date: ____________

The Purpose

Why are we doing this? To consolidate your understanding of how medieval fortifications evolved from timber to stone and to apply your knowledge of defensive features to a real-world tactical scenario.

Instructions

1. Identify: List three key defensive features found in a traditional Motte and Bailey castle and explain one weakness for each.

2. Compare: Complete the table below to show the differences between timber Motte and Bailey castles and later Stone Keeps.

Feature	Motte and Bailey	Stone Keep
Material	Timber (Wood)	Stone
Build Time	Very Fast (Weeks)	Slow (Years)
Strength	Easy to burn down	Strong and fireproof
Cost	Cheap / Local labour	Expensive / Skilled labour

3. Advise: Imagine you are a Master Mason in 1150 AD. Write a formal PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) paragraph advising a Norman Lord on why he should upgrade his wooden castle to a Stone Keep. Use the prompts below to help:
   • Point: State the main reason for the upgrade (e.g., defence against fire).
   • Evidence: Give a specific example of what might happen to a wooden castle.
   • Explanation: Explain why stone would solve this problem and keep the Lord’s family safer.

Success Criteria (Checklist)

☐ I have identified three features of a Motte and Bailey castle and their weaknesses.

☐ I have completed the comparison table between timber and stone fortifications.

☐ I have written a PEE paragraph using professional, academic language.

Challenge / Extension (Optional)

• Research: Look up the term 'Concentric Castle'. On a separate piece of paper, draw a quick bird’s-eye view sketch and label why having two sets of walls was an improvement over the Stone Keep design.

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⚠ TEACHER’S GUIDANCE & MARK SCHEME (DO NOT PRINT FOR STUDENTS)

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🎓 Teacher’s Post-Task Briefing

💡 Pedagogical Landing

• Delivery Tip: For Year 7, emphasize the transition from the 'temporary' nature of the Harrying of the North era (Motte and Bailey) to the 'permanent' colonial control established by Stone Keeps.
• Scaffolding: Ensure students understand that 'Motte' is the hill and 'Bailey' is the courtyard; they often confuse the two.
• Literacy Focus: Use the PEE paragraph to check for historical formal tone (e.g., using "Furthermore" or "Consequently").

1. Model Answers / Expected Outcomes

Task 1: Identify (Motte and Bailey Features/Weaknesses)

• Palisade (Wooden Fence): Weakness — Can be burnt down or rotted by rain.
• Keep/Tower: Weakness — Being made of wood, it is a significant fire risk during a siege.
• Motte (Earthen Mound): Weakness — Can be prone to landslides or erosion if not properly maintained.

Task 2: Compare (Table Completion)

• The table provided in the student section serves as the expected baseline. Students should be able to identify that Stone Keeps represented a shift toward durability and status at the expense of time and treasury.

Task 3: Advise (The PEE Paragraph)

• Point: The Lord should upgrade to stone to ensure the castle is fireproof.
• Evidence: During a siege, attackers use fire arrows to burn the wooden palisade; once upgraded to stone, even advanced techniques like 'pigs' — rendering pig fat to fuel underground mining fires — could bring down a stone tower, as at Rochester in 1215.
• Explanation: Because stone does not burn, the castle remains a 'permanent' symbol of power that cannot be easily destroyed by fire, ensuring the Lord maintains control over the local Anglo-Saxon population.

2. Common Misconceptions to Flag

• The 'Stone Motte' Myth: Students often think the Motte was always made of stone. Explain that stone is too heavy for an artificial earthen mound; Stone Keeps were usually built on natural bedrock or very settled ground.
• The 'Luxury' Trap: Students may think stone castles were built for comfort. Remind them they were primary military tools; they were often cold, damp, and dark compared to modern homes.

3. Classroom Discussion Starters (The 'Journey')

• If stone was so much better, why didn't William the Conqueror build Stone Keeps immediately in 1066? (Focus: speed and the need for immediate control).
• By the time of the Tudors, castles became less important. Why might the invention of gunpowder and cannons make a Stone Keep useless?