Starter quiz
- Which word describes somebody who constructs things from stone?
- 'mason' ✓
- Which word describes the design and construction of buildings?
- 'architecture' ✓
- Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's Romanesque style?
- its small, slim columns and pointed arches
- its thick walls and tall tower ✓
- its huge stone columns and rounded arches ✓
- its thin walls and short tower
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- Which building materials were used by Gundulf in the construction of the White Tower?
- marble from Greece
- red Roman bricks ✓
- ragstone from Kent ✓
- Caen stone from Normandy ✓
- chalk from Pevensey
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- In which century did stone keeps and walls begin to replace wooden castle buildings?
- 11th century
- 12th century ✓
- 13th century
- 14th century
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- Which pattern were the Normans fond of using in their building projects?
- gingham
- plaid
- floral
- chevron ✓
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Exit quiz
- Which word describes troops stationed in a building to guard it?
- 'garrison' ✓
- Which word describes what something is designed to do?
- 'function' ✓
- Which of the following are examples of the White Tower's defences?
- immensely thick stone walls ✓
- fireplaces in a sloped style
- entrance was on the first floor via a wooden staircase ✓
- inclusion of St John’s Chapel
- had arrow loops for windows ✓
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- Which of the following show that the White Tower was designed to survive besiegement?
- numerous fireplaces to suggest there were more soldiers inside than reality
- a well was dug in the basement to get fresh water ✓
- the design of the walls suggested the tower had at least three floors
- the enormous basement had storerooms filled with supplies ✓
- its location next to the River Thames meant it could be supplied by boat ✓
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- Which of the following show the White Tower's administrative role?
- inclusion of fireplaces and garderobes ✓
- riverside location meant that trade on the river came under its control ✓
- inclusion of kitchens and rooms for servants
- a metre-wide passageway was built into the thick outer wall
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- What was located on the second floor of the White Tower?
- well and storerooms
- kitchens and rooms for servants
- the king’s royal chambers and private chapel ✓
- meeting hall and castellan chamber
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Norman castles in England were primarily military buildings.
- The White Tower was designed to defend a garrison against attack.
- Norman castles were centres of government administration and had economic functions.
- The White Tower was also built to be a royal residence.
Common misconception
That early medieval kings ruled from a royal palace.
In fact, early medieval kings and their courts travelled from one location to another.
Keywords
Garrison - troops stationed in a building to guard it
Function - what something is designed to do
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