Medieval Castles and Warfare

The Feudal System

• Social organisation of European Medieval Society

• Hierarchical System • King, Nobles and Knights held the land • In return for land, Nobles supplied soldiers to

King; Knights fought for the Nobles • Peasants sought protection from the Nobles in

return for working the land

Early Medieval Period• Uncertainty• Strife• People turned to the Lords for protection

How did the Lords protect the peasants?• Castles– Villages often built within castle walls

• Weapons• Armour• Soldiers

Weapons of the Medieval Period

• Close-range– Swords– Mace– Flail

• Long-range– Long bow– Cross bow– Halberd– Spear

Castles

• Became more complex over time• Variety of designs• Variety of defence mechanisms

Sieges

• Variety of siege weapons developed to counter casltes

Battering Ram

Mangonel

Trebuchet

Cannon

Activity 1: Research Castles

Go to: www.historylearningsite.co.uk/castles.htmAnswer the following questions in your workbook:• How did castles develop over time?• What were some of the defensive features of castles in Medieval

period?• How did gunpowder technology bring an end to the age of

castles?

Activity 2: Design your own castleDraw a diagram of the your castle and label its features