Starter quiz
- Complete the sentence: The White Tower had multiple ______; as a military defence, administrative centre and royal residence.
- 'functions' ✓
- Complete the sentence: The White Tower was designed to defend a ______ against attack.
- 'garrison' ✓
- How many years was it until the motte-and-bailey castle on the site of the White Tower was replaced with a stone structure?
- one year
- five years
- 10 years ✓
- 15 years
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- Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's defences?
- inclusion of St John’s Chapel
- a well in the basement to get fresh water
- each floor was divided in two by a thick ‘spine’ wall with doorways ✓
- a metre-wide passageway was built into the thick outer wall ✓
- riverside location meant that trade on the river came under its control
-
- What was the purpose of the tower's fireplaces built in a sloped style?
- allowed people to live comfortably instead of in rooms full of smoke ✓
- ensured the best heat retention in each room
- meant that inhabitants did not get soot and ash on their clothes
- tricked outsiders into thinking that there were more soldiers inside ✓
-
- What did William's Charter of 1067 declare?
- that all Londoners,“whether French or English” would be safe under his rule ✓
- that all "French Londoners" would be safe under his rule
- that all "English Londoners" would be safe under his rule
-
Exit quiz
- Which word describes the governor of a castle?
- 'castellan' ✓
- Which word describes a small church, or a room used as a church in a larger building?
- 'chapel' ✓
- Which of the following would have provided some comfort for the royal residents of the White Tower?
- small windows
- fireplaces ✓
- garderobes ✓
- tapestries and rugs ✓
- large kitchen
-
- Which of the following was the role of the keeper at the White Tower?
- leading the defence in the case of an attack
- the maintenance of the tower’s defences ✓
- preparing the food for the royal residents
- paying and supervising the tower's garrison of soldiers ✓
- collecting taxes from the area under the tower’s control ✓
-
- Which of the following would have been part of the White Tower's garrison?
- knights ✓
- archers ✓
- fryd
- housecarls
-
- Which of the following occupations were also employed at the White Tower?
- chaplain ✓
- teachers
- scullions ✓
- laundresses ✓
- artists
-
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The White Tower could accommodate royals and nobles.
- In the king's absence, the keeper (castellan) was the most important resident of the White Tower.
- The White Tower housed a garrison who likely stayed in barracks in the bailey or in the first floor hall.
- The White Tower also housed craftsmen to create and maintain weapons and a chaplain or priest to serve St John's Chapel.
Common misconception
The White Tower was always bustling with royal activity.
Royal residents were seldom present. Most of the time, the White Tower was managed by the keeper and housed a garrison of soldiers.
Keywords
Noble - a member of the ruling elite
Castellan - the governor of a castle
Chapel - a small church, or a room used as a church in a larger building
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