Castles for a Conqueror Flashcards
What is the oldest part of the site?
The Saxon and Norman Buildings
What happened 5 years before the castle was built in 1071?
William the Conqueror, also known as the Duke of Normandy, landed on England’s South Coast with 7,000 troops and delivered a crushing on the army of the English King, Harold II, in the Battle of Hastings
What happened during the Battle of Hastings?
Harold was killed by the legendary arrow-through-the-eye. After the battle, William in triumph into London to be crowned King of England
What happened after the Norman Conquest?
The fighting did not stop after the Battle of Hastings. There were many uprisings from English Lords attempting to bring the aristocracy down. However, the Conqueror’s troops were largely successful in their attempts to quell the protests. This was mainly accomplished through violent forms of genocide. Norman Lieutenants were then allocated a piece of land that the Norman Army conquered and was tasked with building a castle
What castles were built after the Normans took over England?
Motte-and-bailey castles were built and were simple structures of mounded earth and timber which could be thrown up relatively quickly using whatever manpower was available. These would eventually be rebuilt into a more sturdy stone material. However, this would only be done after the motte-and-bailey castle had served its purpose of serving as strongholds from which William’s war-parties could launch assaults on surrounding towns and villages to obtain dominance of the area.
When was William the Conqueror crowned the King of England?
William the Conqueror was crowned King on Christmas Day (How about that for a Christmas Present). William was crowned on Christmas Day because he wanted his coronation to coincide with the birth of Christ and celebrate both occasions as he was a strong believer in Jesus
Why was St George’s Tower originally built?
It was built by the Anglo-Saxons to defend Oxford from the Vikings
What was the Capstan Wheel?
The Capstan Wheel was a form of Victorian Punishment used from the 1800s which involved 16 male prisoners having to push a large, heavy wheel for around 10 hours a day in total silence. The two circles on the floor were created by the prisoners feet. The wheel was used as a water pump but was generally considered as pointless work due to there being machines being available at that time to do the work instead
When was Oxford founded?
Oxford, called Oxnaforda by the Saxons, actually originated as a town, as it did not have a cathedral built during its construction (Christ Church). It was founded and fully built in around 900 AD
