Year 8 Homework Project

Year 7 Homework Project

How did castles change in the middle ages?

Key Concept: Change and Continuity Introduction

This is your second homework project in Year 7. For this you have to explain how castles changed in their design during the middle ages.

By the end of this project you should be able to:

(1) Describe different types of castle such as Motte and Bailey, Square Keep and Concentric

(2) Explain why the design of castles changed over time

Use the back page of this booklet to find out where to go for information to help you complete your project.

You have the complete all three tasks.

Task 1

Make a fact file for each of the three types of castle:

(1) Motte and Bailey (2) Square or Stone Keep (3) Concentric Castles

In each fact file include the following information:

o How the castle was designed o What it was designed to do (defend, base for knights, etc.) o What its strengths and weaknesses were

You may find a picture or diagram will help you make your fact file. Task 2

Find out about these types of siege engine. For each one explain how it worked and how it forced people to redesign castles.

o The Trebuchet o The Siege Tower o Mining the walls

A image or diagram may help you here.

Task 3

Write at least one paragraph answering this question:

“How did Castles change over time?”

In your paragraph you should explain the changes in designs of castles (see Task 1) and how castle designs had to change with new siege weapons (see Task 2). You should also consider the ways in which castles have stayed the same.

Optional Extension Task

Choose one of the three types of castle from Task 1 and design a model or plan of the castle. This can be 2D or 3D. Make sure you label the different parts of the castle so it’s clear what is what. Finding information:

There are lots of books in the Learning and Resources centre on castles. You can also find good information here:

Year 7 Website

Visit the Year 7 website to find an information pack about Castles.

Different types of castle: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/motte_and_bailey_castles.htm http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/stone_keep_castles.htm http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/concentric_castles.htm

Changes to castles and siege engines: http://www.unmuseum.org/castle.htm

How will your work be marked

Change and Continuity

Level 4: You can pinpoint basic examples of change and continuity within and across different periods

Level 5: You can describe how changes occur over time and lines of continuity that exist

Level 6: You can explain the key developments in how something changed over time

Level 7: You can make clear and reasoned judgements about how far something changed over time

Level 8: You are able to place change and continuity in a broader historical context, drawing out the links where necessary