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Warwick Castle and the Medieval Period

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I think my study of Warwick castle does show the castle to have had importance during the medieval period but not as much as other castles in England. This is because Warwick castle was built strategically in the center of England and was modified although the medieval period with defense’s, it wasn't as typically built as other castles were with its features and wasn't as involved in, many important battles in England's heritage. Warwick castle is situated in the Centre of England in the very country town of Warwickshire on the bend of the river Avon this means that Warwick castle had very strategic advantage. It was near other castles such as Kenilworth castle. Warwick was important as it was involved in a lot of battles but not as important as it was not very typical in development as other castles around the same time. Warwick is quite close to large cities such as Coventry. Warwick castle was first built in 1068 by William the Conquer as a result of him killing King Harold at the battle of Hastings in 1066, to stamp his very important authority as the new king and show his power over the people on England. The castles which were around this time were also built as William and his men knew that the English would not like a French ruler and so there was a form of protection for them in case of any rebellions held. Warwick was chosen as the site for the castle as it was in the middle of England and therefore it meant that the king could call on his knights to go anywhere around the country and arrive in a matters of days, this also meant that it was harder for the opposition to get to the castle as it would have been a longer distance for them to travel. Warwick castle is also located next to the river Avon this would have provided the castle with natural defense against attackers and is a reliable water source in case of a long siege at the castle. The earlier Warwick castle was built by the Normans and the castle consisted of a 'man-made Motte, or mound, built on a cliff overlooking the stunning river Avon. On top of the mound was a wooden stockade' as it says in source 2, meaning any rebellions could be stopped. William built this type of castle as it was very easy to build and it wouldn't cost that much and it would be done in very little time. However these castles were not very reliable as they were made of wood and were very easy to set alight. Warwick castle was a typical Mott and Bailey castle for that time of people as it had all the common features and therefore shows it have been an important castle in the Norman rule of England. This is supported by source 4, the Bayeux Tapestry as it shows the early Motte and Bailey castle being built by the Normans, in the picture yo can see a flag stuck into the ground suggesting its now Norman territory. You can also see the Normans working very hard to getting the castle finished, the castle in the picture is higher up suggesting the high superioty of the castles and William's ideas. However the Bayeux Tapestry may be a biased source as it was made by the Normans for William commemorations to show his successes therefore it will not show any of the English successes or advances. This source was produced a few years after the Norman Conquest meaning it was based on people's memories of that event of the build. This could s

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