Pembroke Castle in the United Kingdom

The Tower of London

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is the most famous Norman Castle ever built. It was built in London, England. The castle is notorious for the multiple bloody executions, torture, and imprisonment of prisoners. William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 and after that the building of the Tower of London began. However, the Tower of London started out as a Motte and Bailey castle and then was replaced with stone. The castle is therefore made of wood and stone. The tower was built to act as a royal power base and served as a shield for London from invasion. The tower consists of twenty-one different towers. The Tower of London took many years to build. The completion of the castle was in 1097. Today, this miraculous piece of history shows one of the many accomplishments of the Middle Ages.

The Significance of the Norman Castles

The medieval times experienced many accomplishments including battle victories and the historical building of the first castles in England in the year 1066. The first Norman Castles built were made out of wood. These castles were called Motte and Bailey castles. Over 100 of these Motte and Bailey castles were built. Soon after, the wood castles were replaced with castles made of stone. An example of a stone Norman Castle is the the Tower of London. The first pre-built Norman Castle made of wood was built in Pevencey Bay in 1066. These Norman Castles show how English history had changed England forever. England grew significantly during the building of the Norman Castles even through the triumphs and losses of the battles England experienced throughout the middle-ages.

The Building of the Medieval Norman Castles

The Middle Ages marked a time that experienced one of the most violent periods in history. However, it was also the period of the building of the first castles in England in the year 1066 A.D. The castles unfortunately were given little appreciation due to the violence.
The Norman Castles were built to house men, horses, and everyday necessities. As well as provide a ground where the Normans could govern the surrounding area.The Normans were a gathering of builders who were invited by King Edward the Confessor. They were a group who liked the idea that their castle would serve as battle fort or a power base. In 1066 A.D., King William I of England defeated King Harold at the Battle of the Hastings. Thereafter, the building of the first Norman Castles began.

Resources

1. "Norman Castles", P.1; 2009, http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-timeline.htm

2.Lockhart, Ann; "Norman Castles", P.1; 2007-2009, http://www.essentially-england.com/norman-castles.html

3. Barrow, Mandy; "The Norman Conquest and the First Real Castles", P.1-5, 2009, http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/castles/normancastles.htm

4. Trueman, Chris; "Castles", P.1, 2009, http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/castles.htm

5.Simpkin, John; "Norman Castles", P.1, 2009, http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/NORcastles.htm

6. "Famous Castles of the Middle Ages", P.1; 2009, http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/famous-castles-of-the-middle-ages.htm

7. "The Tower of London", P.1; 2009, http://www.castles.me.uk/the-tower-of-london.htm

8. "The Tower of London", 2009, http://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/WhiteTower.jpg

9. "Pembroke Castle", 2009, http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/picvieworiginal.asp

10. "Medieval Castles Part I", 2009, http://www.youtube.com?v=SFRttpDAHxU