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Norman Castles (Beginning History)

Concentrating on the Norman castles

Norman Castles is part of a series relates different aspects of the lives of people in bygone times. Concentrating on the Norman castles this particular volume discusses where the Normans came from and how they came to build their great castles to protect their lands in Northern France, Italy and England. Graham Rickard has written many books for children including some in the 'Focus on Resources' series.

Motte and bailey castles

Motte and bailey castles could be very quickly erected. According to records, William the Conqueror had one built at Pevensey in eight days. The rapidity and ease with which it was possible to construct castles of this type made them characteristic of the Norman Conquest period in England and of the Anglo-Norman settlements in Wales, Ireland and the Scottish lowlands.
In later days a stone wall replaced the timber palisade and produced what is known as the shell-keep, as at the castles of Alnwick, Berkeley and Windsor, still existing today. The remains of castle mottes can be found in many parts of Britain. In many cases, however, earth and timber defences were never replaced with stone.