Motte and Bailey Castles

This resource is intended for upper KS 2 and Lower KS 3 (Years 5/6/7) to introduce the topic of Medieval castles and to examine the first castles build by William of Normandy after the Norman Conquest. The resource uses a PowerPoint to guide students through a number of activities, including a starter and plenary activity.The PowerPoint focuses on the reasons why William build Castles, the main features of Motte and Bailey Castles and the advantages and disadvantages of these early castles. The resource also asks students to use the knowledge they have acquired to explain methods of defending and attacking these early castles. Accompanying the PowerPoint is a worksheet differentiated into 3 levels and a diagram of a Motte and Bailey Castle, differentiated at 2 different levels for students to label.