Why did the Normans build Square Keep Castles?

This lesson has been carefully crafted and refined to help students understand why the Normans built Square Keep Castles after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It also looks at their key features, military strengths, weaknesses and gets students to compare them to Motte & Bailey Castles. This lesson could be used as part a unit of work on medieval castles or as part of the theme on how did William keep control. If you are interested in delving deeper into this topic, then this lesson can be purchased as bundled discount along with lessons on medieval castles from my TES shop.

When you purchase these resources you will be able to download a worksheet and an accompanying PowerPoint. The worksheet includes two pages of information and sources as well as a third activities page with two different options of tasks for low or higher ability students. The twenty slide PowerPoint includes a ‘snowballing’ and a ‘buzz and go starter’ as well information slides, historical sources, pictures, diagrams, tasks and activities to support the lesson. The PowerPoint also includes aims, objectives, differentiated outcomes, graphic organisers, thinking skill templates and a plenary.

The aims and objectives for these resources are as follows:

Theme: How did William keep control?
Know: What were the main features of a Square Keep castle?
Understand: Why did the Normans build Square Keep Castles?
Evaluate: What were the military strengths and weaknesses of a SQ Castle?
Skills: Cause and Consequence, Source Analysis

WILF: What Am I Looking For this lesson?
Identify and Describe: The key features of a Square Keep Castle
Explain: Why did the Normans build Square Keep Castles?
Analyse: What were the main military strengths of a Square Keep Castle?

If you like this resource then why not check out my other resources on the First World War in my TES shop, where many have been bundled together to provide you with further savings. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want.

Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates.

Kind Regards

Roy