Year 7 History Independent Learning Challenge Autumn 2
Core
How did Castles change in England during the Middle Ages?
Introduction
This assessment is a chance for you to show off your historical skills and
understanding of change and continuity over time. Do the five tasks below to show you
understand how and why a castle changed during the Middle Ages.
Advice on how to get the best level you can.
 You have eight school weeks of homework to finish this work. This is a minimum
of 4 hours.
 You will be given a level for this piece of work.
 You should use a wide range of sources such as textbooks, the library, the
Internet and CD ROMs but it must be your own work.
 You should start by drafting rough ideas in the back of your exercise book.
 The finished piece of work should be presented on A4 paper with your name on,
your history group, the title and Autumn term 2015 on the front page. It can be
hand-written or word-processed. Have maps, pictures and/or diagrams (these
could be hand-drawn or downloaded) with labels to explain what they are. It can
include a model as well as written text.
 The project should be neatly presented, with clear information and labelled
illustrations.
 This project has five parts. You must finish them all.
 It might help to do one task each week. Do not wait until the night before it is
due in.
 Use correct terminology (words) to describe castles. You could use the castle
words sheet to help.
 Have a conclusion at the end to give your opinions about how castles changed.
 Copies of the ILC and other useful sheets will be on School web site.
REMEMBER English skills are not just for English lessons! Please remember to use
English skills such as;
 Capital letters for the names of people and places.
 Paragraphs, Punctuation, Correct Spelling.
Luckily you have access to modern technology! Here are some helpful Websites on
castles and the Norman Conquest
www.schoolhistory.co.uk/year7links/castle_history.html
www.schoolshistory.org.uk/motteandbaileycastles.htm
www.castlesontheweb.com
www.tower-of-london.com
www.castles-of-britain.com/castle6.htm
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/castles.htm
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/castle_builder/
Part One
The year is 1067 only a year after the Norman Conquest of England. Count Roger is a
Norman Knight who has recently arrived in England. King William the Conqueror has
given Roger some land and permission to build a castle.
Count Roger has contacted you to advise him on building a castle. Back in Normandy
you were well known for your knowledge and expertise in castle building. You have
been brought to England because your skills will be needed by the new conquerors.
Roger is worried about the rebellious English and needs to gain control of the area
quickly. He thinks the best way to do this would be to build a castle, and wants your
expert help. What would you advise him to do?
Task: Write a report for Roger covering the following points:
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Where should Roger build his castle? Choose from various locations. (Use
Roger’s Castle map and Roger’s Castle things to think about worksheet, to help
you)
Explain which site on the map you chose and why.
The type of castle he should build.
The building materials he will need.
The advantages and disadvantages (good and bad points) of this type of castle.
The dangers he might still encounter from the English. (How might they
attack?)
So where will Roger build his castle? The map below shows five possible places where Roger
could build his castle.
What Did Roger need to think about?
Castles were used for many things.
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they made the local people believe that the Normans were powerful
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they were the places where people came to pay their taxes
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they were the places where people were taken who broke the law
Count Roger of Poitou was sent to control the area that we now call Lancashire. He
needed to find the best place to build his castle. The lands that he received from
William had belonged to Earl Tostig, the brother of Harold Godwinson, who had
been killed at the Battle of Stamford
These are the things Count Roger needed to think about?
1. Roger knew that he would have to build his castle quickly because the local people
were likely to want to attack him
2. This meant he needed a lot of workers.
3. His first castle was made of wood with a high fence around it for
protection.
This meant he needed a lot of wood.
4. He had to protect England from invasion from Scotland and from attackers that
might come across the sea.
5. He needed to protect himself from uprisings of the local people.
6. He needed to be able to travel, perhaps to London to see the
King! The King might need to send messages to Roger.
Part Two
Background: The year is 1100. The Normans have ruled England for almost fifty
years.
You have taken over the family business of Castle Construction. The business is now
considered on of the experts on the most up to date methods in castle building and
gives advice to Barons around the country.
Thomas de Lancaster, the local Norman Baron and grandson of Count Roger, has
decided that he needs to make changes to his family castle. He has asked for your
advice on how to improve his castle.
Task: Write a report for Thomas covering the following points:
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The weaknesses of his current castle. What wrong with it?
The changes he should make to improve it.
The building materials he will need.
The advantages of this new type of castle.
The dangers he might still encounter from enemies. (How might they attack?)
You could give examples of other castles.
Part Three
Background: The year is 1300. It is 233 years since Count Roger first built his castle.
Many English soldiers have been involved in the Crusades. They have brought back new
ideas about castle building.
You family business, Castle Construction, has passed down through the generations of
your family. You advise the rich and powerful on how to build and improve their
castles. The local baron, Edward de Lancaster wants to make improvements to the old
family castle. He has asked you for advice on what sort of changes to make.
Task: Write a report for Edward de Lancaster covering the following points:
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The weaknesses of his current castle.
The changes he should make to improve it and the reasons why you think he
needs them.
The building materials he will need.
The advantages of this new type of castle.
The dangers he might still encounter from enemies. (How might they attack?)
Are there any new threats?
You could give examples of other castles.
Part Four
The year is 1465. The Wars of Roses are being fought in England. Both sides are using
cannons in battles. The new owner, Lord William of Lancaster hires you to update his
castle.
Task: Write a report for Lord William covering the following points:
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The threat of gunpowder weapons.
The weaknesses of his current castle.
The changes he should make to improve it.
The new designs he will need.
The advantages of this new type of castle.
You could give examples of other castles.
Part five
The year is 1500. Lord Hugh Lancaster is now in charge of the castle. He hires you to
update the castle. What should you do?
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War is now less likely so what changes might make the castle more comfortable?
The advantages of this new type of castle.
You could give examples of other castles.
The dangers he might still encounter from enemies. (How might they attack?)
Task: Write a report for Lord Hugh to show how the castle could be changed.
These are the level descriptors which help you to reach the best level
that you can.
Target: Historical enquiry. To answer the above question using
information selected from the past and to make decisions based on
this information.
Level 4
You should be able to say what they need to think about before the castles are
built and constantly changed. You should be able to back this up with information
from different sources. You are able to describe characteristic features of past
societies to identify change and continuity within and across different period.
Level 5
You should be able to use what you know about where castles were built and why
to make decisions about where castles were built and modernised.
You should begin to recognise and describe change and continuity
Level 6
You should be able to explain why castles changed and make detailed comparisons
between the features of different castles.
You should be able to show a knowledge and understanding of change and
continuity within and across different periods and put what you think in a wellargued way.
Level 7
You should be able to analyse and classify the changes in castle design and give
reasons for them. You should be able to use as much information as possible from
all sources to present an arguments concerning the building and modernising of
castles.
Level 8
You should be able to construct substantiated analyses about historic changes.
You should be able to develop an analysis to illustrate wider points about society
in the Middle Ages. You can construct substantiated analyses about historic
change.