TeachWhizz

Norman Control: Castles (Motte & Bailey) Source Analysis

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A worksheet analyzing primary sources related to the construction and purpose of Motte and Bailey castles during Norman rule in England.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Norman Control
#Standard
#Source Analysis (Text)
#Castles (Motte & Bailey)
#Explain the purpose of Motte and Bailey castles
#Analyse the reliability of primary sources about Norman castles
#Compare different perspectives on castle construction

Worksheet Preview

Full preview • 8 questions

Norman Control: Castles (Motte & Bailey) Source Analysis

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz

Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Source Analysis: Norman Castles

Source A: Description of a Motte and Bailey Castle

"The castle was built with a large mound of earth, called a motte, with a wooden tower on top. Surrounding it was a wide, open courtyard called a bailey, enclosed by a wooden fence. The motte provided a high vantage point for watching enemies, while the bailey housed soldiers and supplies. These castles were quick to build and served as strongholds for Norman control over the land. They could be constructed on both flat land and hilltops, making them versatile for different locations. The design allowed the Normans to defend their territory and control the local population effectively. The wooden structures could be replaced with stone later to increase durability."* Provenance: Anonymous monk, 1086, eyewitness report from a castle construction site.

B

Questions

1.
Describe what the source says about the design of a Motte and Bailey castle. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Explain the purpose of the motte and the bailey in Norman castles. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Compare the source's description with what you know about why Normans built these castles. (5 marks)
[5 marks]
4.
Analyse the reliability of this source as evidence about Norman castle construction. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
5.
Outline the advantages of building Motte and Bailey castles quickly. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
6.
Compare the use of wood and stone in castle construction. Why might Normans replace wooden structures with stone? (5 marks)
[5 marks]
7.
Analyse why the Normans used Motte and Bailey castles as part of their conquest strategy. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
8.
Summarize the main reasons why Norman castles like Motte and Bailey were important during their conquest of England. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

Quick Actions

What is Remix?

Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.

  • • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
  • • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
  • • Add more questions (10 → 15)
  • • Adjust difficulty

Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
Report this resource

Related Worksheets

Essay Planning: The Role of Convicts in Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 9q

Timeline & Chronology of Convicts in Commonwealth Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 8q

Understanding Convicts in Colonization: Vocabulary & Concepts

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 0q

Interpretations of Convict Labour in Colonization

Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
📝 7q
Back to Library