Motte and Bailey When the Normans came to the British Isles they needed to secure their conquest quickly. The first type of homes which they built were ...
Interior of Motte and Bailey Inside the motte and bailey was usually a two roomed house made of timber and plaster. There may also have been an attic. The people ...
Castles The Normans soon progressed to building great stone castles. The main period for this was from about 1180 to 1310. The size and layout ...
Dundrum Castle Keep The main living accommodation in the castle was the fortified tower known as the keep. These were either square or round; the latter ...
Tower Houses As attacks on the Anglo Norman families never really ceased completely, a tower house became a necessity for those who could afford it. ...
Toilets The Normans built toilets in their castles. These were usually in the corners of towers and the waste fell into the ditch below. ...
Great hall in Castle All the Norman castles had a great hall which was used by the lord and his family and was situated at first floor level. Their private ...
Fireplace in Castle The fireplaces in these castles provided much needed warmth as the castles were very cold and damp. Window glass was not well sealed ...
Stairs and Stewards The day to day running of a castle was in the hands of a steward who looked after accounts also especially when the lord was away. ...
O’Neill’s Castle The O’Neills, who were an important Irish family, had their main castle at Dungannon. Their castle, unlike those of the Anglo Normans, ...
