The site of the White Tower | History | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Complete the sentence: William’s terrifying harrying of the area around London seems to have convinced the English leadership to ______ to him.

'submit' ✓
Complete the sentence: London was a well-defended ______ and so Harold could have waited for William there, instead he chose to leave on 13th October to face William in the south.

'burh' ✓
Who did the Anglo-Saxon elite choose as king immediately after the Battle of Hastings?

Edgar the Atheling ✓

Earl Edwin

Earl Morcar

William of Normandy
Why did William embark on a strategic march around the southeast of England?

to please his soldiers who wanted revenge on London

to cut off supplies and isolate London ✓

to intimidate London’s population ✓

to reduce the possibility of coordinated resistance ✓

to weaken London as a city in the long-term
Why did William choose to have his coronation in Westminster Abbey?

He liked the building's Romanesque architecture.

He wanted to bury Harold there to officially end Anglo-Saxon rule.

He wanted to send a strong message of continuity. ✓

He could host his friends and family easily there as it was so big.
Put the following events in chronological order.

1

⇔

Harold left London to fight at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

2

⇔

Harold returned to London victorious.

3

⇔

Harold called up levies from the fyrd in London.

4

⇔

Harold’s mother and brothers tried to persuade him to wait in London.

5

⇔

Harold left London for Hastings with only half of the levies.

6

⇔

William led his army on a strategic march to intimidate London.

7

⇔

William was crowned king of England in London.

Exit quiz

Which word describes being important or essential for achieving a plan or an aim?

'strategically' ✓
Which word describes any structure designed for defence?

'fortification' ✓
Why was the White Tower built on a bend in the River Thames?

It could serve as a lookout point for approaching threats. ✓

It could control river traffic. ✓

It could be constructed from soil from the river bank.

It could allow residents to get fish from the river easily.
How many castles were there in Norman London?

1 - just the White Tower

2 - the White Tower and Baynard's Castle

2 - the White Tower and Montfichet's Tower

3 - the White Tower, Baynard's Castle and Montfichet's Tower ✓

4 - the White Tower, London Bridge, Baynard's Castle and Montfichet's Tower
How tall was the White Tower?

seven metres

17 metres

27 metres ✓

37 metres
Which two other Norman buildings allowed the White Tower to be in close connection with the religious and administrative centres of London?

Westminster Hall ✓

Winchester Treasury

Westminster Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The site chosen for the White Tower was a strategically important one.
The site of the White Tower made use of the old Roman walls.
A key role for the White Tower was to control London's population.
Two other castles were also built in London: Baynard's Castle and Montfichet's Tower.
The White Tower was in close connection with both religious and administrative centres in London.

Common misconception

Students may think that the White Tower was the only castle in Norman London.

In fact, there were two other castles in Norman London: Baynard's Castle and Montfichet's Tower.

Keywords

Strategically - important or essential for achieving a plan or an aim
Fortification - any structure designed for defence
Legitimacy - having the right to hold power