Castle Builder
You are a Medieval Castle Builder living in Wales in the year 1076. You are
hired by the Norman Baron William de Clare to build him a fantastic castle in
Aberystwyth, Wales. Use the steps below to learn all the necessary
information to build your castle.
1. Fill in the population information
Serfs
Soldiers
Household
staff
Family
members
2. Click on the link to view the map then in the space below describe the area
where you will be building your castle.
3. Daily Life: Click on the link in “Step 1”, and read all the information about
daily life in a castle. Use that information to answer the questions below.
1. What is the importance of a "Great Hall" in a castle?
2. What did a typical hall look like? Flooring? Lighting?
3. Describe how heating was accomplished in the Medieval halls.
4. Describe the kitchens usually found in Medieval castles.
5. Explain how the main bedrooms and guest rooms were laid out in the
castle.
6. What were squints used for?
7. Did castles have water accessible on all floors? Explain.
8. Where was the chapel located in early castles?
9. How are guests seated when they come for dinner?
10. List four things you learned about knights.
11. Use this space to write down any other information about daily life in a
castle you think may be important to build your castle.
4. Using the link in “Step 2” define the key terms below. These are all things
that the Baron wants in his castle!
1. Wicket
2. allure
3. turret
4. arch
5. rampart
6. aumbry
7. postern gate
8. bailey
9. paraphet
10.
barbican
11.
parados
12.
battlement
13.
outer ward
14.
buttery
15.
outer curtain
16.
buttress
17.
murder holes
18.
crosswall
19.
moat
20.
donjon or keep
21.
Hall
22.
dormer
23.
great chamber
24.
drawbridge
25.
gate house
26.
dungeon
27.
garderobe
28.
gallery
5. Using the two links in “step 3” gather information on different types of
castles and what makes castles strong as well as ways to protect a castle.
Take any notes you think may help in the space below.
6. Using all the information you gathered you will design your castle. You
may use poster paper to draw what your castle would look like, please make
sure you label all the required parts to your castle. Be sure it is large
enough to accommodate all of the castle inhabitants, including the serfs, in
case of a siege and make sure you include all gardens and food storage
facilities that you will need. Remember food capacity is crucial to survive in
case the castle is under siege. Some sieges lasted for over a year in Medieval
times! If you decide to build your castle, please make sure you include a
written explanation of the parts of your castle. Below is the rubric I will use
to grade your project.
4
3
2
1
Used time well
during each class
period. Focused on
getting the project
done. Never
distracted others.
Used time well
during each class
period. Usually
focused on getting
the project done and
never distracted
others.
Used some of the
time well during
each class period.
There was some
focus on getting the
project done but
occasionally
distracted others.
Did not use class
time to focus on the
project OR often
distracted others.
focus and the
content easily
viewed and identified
from 6 ft. away.
Most graphics are in
focus and the
content easily
viewed and identified
from 6 ft. away.
Most graphics are in Many graphics are
focus and the
not clear or are too
content is easily
small.
viewed and identified
from 4 ft. away.
Labels
All items of
importance on the
poster are clearly
labeled with labels
that can be read
from at least 3 ft.
away.
Almost all items of
importance on the
poster are clearly
labeled with labels
that can be read
from at least 3 ft.
away.
Several items of
importance on the
poster are clearly
labeled with labels
that can be read
from at least 3 ft.
away.
Labels are too small
to view OR no
important items were
labeled.
Required
Elements
The poster includes
all required elements
as well as additional
information.
All required
elements are
included on the
poster.
All but 1 of the
required elements
are included on the
poster.
Several required
elements were
missing.
Content Accuracy
At least 7 accurate
facts are displayed
on the poster.
5-6 accurate facts
3-4 accurate facts
Less than 3 accurate
are displayed on the are displayed on the facts are displayed
poster.
poster.
on the poster.
CATEGORY
Use of Class
Time
Graphics -Clarity Graphics are all in
Attractiveness
The poster is
exceptionally
attractive in terms of
design, layout, and
neatness.
The poster is
attractive in terms of
design, layout and
neatness.
The poster is
acceptably attractive
though it may be a
bit messy.
Grammar
There are no
grammatical
mistakes on the
poster.
There is 1
There are 2
grammatical mistake grammatical
on the poster.
mistakes on the
poster.
The poster is
distractingly messy
or very poorly
designed. It is not
attractive.
There are more than
2 grammatical
mistakes on the
poster.