Starter quiz
- Which term describes a type of castle built by the Normans, with a high earthen mound and a courtyard protected by a strong timber palisade?
- 'motte-and-bailey' ✓
- Complete the sentence: Pevensey Castle was originally a Roman ...
- 'fort' ✓
- What was one of the main advantages of William using the existing Roman structure at Pevensey for his landing in 1066?
- It provided a location for a marketplace to trade with local people.
- It was a known site for celebrating local festivals and ceremonies.
- It was already equipped with supplies and weapons for his army.
- It offered a well-defended position with thick walls. ✓
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- What was the purpose of raising the Roman D-tower in the northwest corner of Pevensey Castle?
- To create a higher observation point to watch for Anglo-Saxon attack ✓
- To provide space for storing supplies and equipment
- To serve as a royal residence for William the Conqueror
- To build a watchtower for spotting incoming ships
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- Why did William repair the Roman walls at Pevensey Castle?
- To make the castle more impressive for visitors
- To prepare the walls for decorative painting
- To enhance the fortifications against attack ✓
- To provide space for additional buildings
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- What was a major factor in the effectiveness of William's pre-built castle at Pevensey?
- Its large size made it easy to spot from a distance.
- Its rapid construction time of only one day. ✓
- Its large motte was designed to intimidate enemies.
- Its use of advanced Roman engineering techniques.
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Exit quiz
- Which word means relating to the running of a business or government?
- 'administrative' ✓
- Which word means an armed uprising against a ruler?
- 'rebellion' ✓
- What was the primary reason William the Conqueror built castles in England?
- To create grand palaces for his court
- To maintain control over the rebellious population ✓
- To host festivals and celebrations
- To provide residences for Anglo-Saxon nobles
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- How did the Normans ensure that their castles were always within reach of each other?
- By ensuring they were within a day’s march of each other ✓
- By building them in isolated locations
- By constructing castles in major cities only
- By using a network of underground tunnels between castles
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- Which of the following statements about the motte-and-bailey castles is true?
- They were known for their elaborate interiors and luxurious furnishings.
- They were frequently built on flat ground with no natural defences.
- They were used mainly as government offices and royal residences.
- They were often built on high ground with walls and ditches. ✓
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- Match each term with its correct description.
- rape⇔A traditional name for an administrative district in Sussex ✓
- motte-and-bailey castle⇔A type of Norman castle with a mound and enclosed courtyard ✓
- sheriff⇔A Norman official responsible for local administration and taxes ✓
- Anderitum⇔A Roman fort in Pevensey where William chose to build his castle ✓
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Pevensey was an administrative centre.
- Pevensey was one of the most important locations in Sussex.
- Pevensey could serve as a garrison.
- Pevensey may have intimidated the local Anglo-Saxons.
- Pevensey was in a strategic location between London and Normandy.
Common misconception
Castles were purely defensive structures.
Norman castles were effective defensive structures, but they also performed other essential tasks. They were the administrative centre of the local area, the home for the local lord or sheriff and a symbol of Norman power over the Anglo-Saxons.
Keywords
Administrative - relating to the running of a business or government
Rebellion - an armed uprising against a ruler
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