Video summary
An exploration of life in Britain following the invasion of 1066 through the eyes of a Norman family.
In their motte and bailey castle, the children play and learn, and grow up to be a knight or to be married off.
We are shown the impact of the Norman Conquest on life for Anglo-Saxons - who benefitted and who lost out - and what was life like for the Normans after the Conquest.
This is from the series: The Story of Britain
Teacher Notes
Teachers can use this to introduce the concept of motte and bailey castles.
By 1086 the Normans had built nearly 500 motte and bailey castles.
Students can be tasked to find out if there was one built near them.
Pupils can also look into Mountfitchet Castle, in Essex, which has been rebuilt on the site of the original.
This could start discussions on life in 1066.
What would it have been like living in a motte and bailey castle?
How secure do you think motte and bailey castles were? What happened to castles over the next 400 years that made them stronger and safer to live in?
This clip will be suitable for teaching History at KS2 in England and Wales also KS1 and KS2 in Northern Ireland.
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