Castles in the history classroom

A collection of Castles lessons, worksheets and activities for secondary history students

Tes Resources Team

Castle images to represent KS3 and KS4 secondary history resources for the classroom

Explore medieval history through castles using this collection of resources including lessons, schemes of work and on-site castle studies 

Castles are one of the most renowned historical features that this nation has to offer. The remnants of castles sprinkled across the British Isles today were once beacons of strength and power supporting lords and kings alike to maintain control of the land they claimed as their own. It is no wonder that these long-standing, iconic landmarks have stood fast in the secondary history curriculum through the ages! So, why not check out this fantastic collection of secondary history resources from the Tes community?

KS3

One of the staple teachings in every secondary history classroom is that of castles. Investigate how William kept control of England using castles following his invasion in 1066 and treat your students to the delights of castle evolution starting with Motte and Bailey castles using these featured resources.

Square keep / stone keep
Kate Bentley

Square keep / stone keep

FREE
(8)
Information sheets and work sheets on square stone keep castles. Those with smiley faces on are the SEN sheets. I normally supplement these with a clip from you tube on stone keep castles.
Defending a Castle
mrshopehistory

Defending a Castle

£3.00
(5)
A well presented lesson on the defensive features of Medieval castles created for KS3 history students on Microsoft Powerpoint **A little about the lesson** Students are encouraged to design their own castle and its defences. Students are provided with a king-sized budget and challenged to researc...
Castles Introduction
EC_Resources_EXTRA

Castles Introduction

£3.00
(2)
Perfect for a Medieval History Unit for Year 7. This lesson allows students to explore and discover different types of castles, why they were built and how they changed over time. Great for practicing source work and extended writing tasks, with clip and other tasks also included. The lesson will ...
Motte & Bailey Castles
mrshopehistory

Motte & Bailey Castles

£3.00
(2)
A well presented lesson with accompanying student worksheets on Motte and Bailey castles created for KS3 history students on Microsoft Powerpoint **A little about the lesson** This lesson focuses on the first castles that were built in England following William the Conquerors success at the Battle...
Siege of Rochester Castle
PilgrimHistory

Siege of Rochester Castle

FREE
(2)
This lesson aims to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of attacking Rochester Castle and understand why it was built in such a strategic position. It also explores the reasons why the Castle was seized by some disaffected knights in 1215 and why King John was so keen to recapture it. Students ...
Stone Castles Worksheet
Alis Stone

Stone Castles Worksheet

£1.00
(1)
A worksheet on stone castles where students can identify and describe the features of stone castles. Could be differentiated by adding a gap fill for lower ability students.

KS4

With castles now featuring in the new GCSE thematic and depth study specifications, why not consider lightening your workload with these pre-prepared GCSE materials.

Medieval Castles
nationalarchives

Medieval Castles

FREE
(1)
The documents in this lesson relate to Framlingham, Portchester, Stokesay , Berwick and Alnwick castles. Some of these feature in the specification for OCR History GCSE module: Castles Form and Function c1000-1750 as specified sites in conjunction with English Heritage. Framlingham Castle is the f...