Julia Burke

SLM-521

Web Dropin #2

June 26, 2009

Castles

The Tower of London

(Retrieved from http://www.castlesontheweb.com/photoarthive/index.php)

Introduction

One of the most powerful and well-known symbols of the Medieval Age is the castle. Although at times decorative, these edifices were built for multiple purposes during this turbulent time in European history. What can these incredible structures, many of which are still around today, tell us about the Medieval Age?

Part One: Activity Read About Castles http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle13.htm and The Castle Through the Ages http://historymedren.about.com/library/weekly/aa071098.htm and answer the following questions:

1. What is the definition of a castle?

2. When were castles first built in Europe (primarily England and France)?

3. Name three reasons castles were built.

4. Explain how the earliest castles were built and what materials were used.

5. Later castles were built using what materials?

Part Two: Using the previous web pages as well as the diagram below, list four features (parts) of a castle. For each feature describe its appearance and function. *

Retrieved from http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castlesi.htm

*Please note that not all parts of a castle are labeled on the diagram.

Part Three: Using the following web page—Castles in Medieval Times http://www.yourchildlearns.com/castle_history.htm list and describe 3 to 5 ways attackers would try to conquer a castle.

Part Four: For each of the following images, describe what you think it shows—what is it and what is its possible function for a castle?

1. Retrieved from: http://imageafter.com/images.php

2. Retrieved from: http://www.pics4learning.com/

3. Retrieved from: http://www.pics4learning.com/

4. Retrieved from: http://www.morguefile.com/