![]() ![]() Later on when their position was more secure, land was bought or swapped for other areas. In the early years the Normans heavy handedly cleared whatever was in their way to build where they wanted, knocking down housing and striping local areas of building materials. They built inside or near existing towns, usually on high ground or where there was a good water supply. He then built a castle there.Īs the Normans spread out to conquer their new lands, they chose to build their motte and bailey castles in locations where they could be on hand to put down revolts. At Exeter he had to lay siege (a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling those inside to surrender) to the town until an agreement was reached. After becoming King William led his army across the south of England building castles and taking control. William built another at Berkhampstead before London eventually surrendered. At Wallingford, a crossing point of the Thames, he built another castle. He then encircled London, by taking control of the urban area around it. He then attempted to conquer London but was rejected and forced back. William took his army around the lower/south coast of England -> Dover to Canterbury (they surrendered to him). At Hastings a motte and bailey castle was possibly constructed and again at Dover the existing Roman fort was refortified. William may have also brought over 'pop-up' castles from Normandy that could be assembled where needed.Īt Pevensey, where he first landed, William spotted an existing but run-down Fort/castle/building built by the Romans was quickly strengthened to provide a secure first base. At first they were simply temporary constructions to offer some protection and a roof for the army that he had brought with him from Normandy. ![]() As soon as William the Conqueror arrived in England in 1066 he started building castles.- Repairs to existing Roman fortifications. ![]()
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