Summary OCR GCSE History Castles Form and Function: Complete Notes
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Course
History
Institution
GCSE
Complete, in-depth notes for OCR GCSE history paper 3. Notes are mapped to individual specification points and complete timelines for memorisation. They were the only resource I used to gain a grade 9 (90%+) in my final exam.
OCR GCSE History Kenilworth Castle: Form and
Function
Kenilworth under the De Clintons: 1120-1174
Overview: Origins of the Castle
In the early 1120s, Kenilworth castle was built by Geoffrey de Clinton, a nobleman closely tied to the
royal family. King Henry I had granted Geoffrey land, and later the title of Great Magistrate in 1124, in an
effort to shift the balance of power in the region away from the Earl of Warwick. The castle itself also
served to protect England from the Welsh Kings, until the conquest of Wales in 1282.
The location of the castle carefully selected:
It was built in Warwickshire, a central location in England which had access to main trade routes
but was also isolated enough to reduce the risk of attack.
The surrounding land being marshy, making it difficult to approach as well as the height of the
land making it easy to see any advancing attack.
Nearby water sources e.g. Inchford could act as natural
The surrounding countryside was fertile and suitable for farming a variety of crops.
How the Structure of the Castle Changed
For the first few years after the castle’s conception, it would only have been an earth mound (motte)
topped with timber buildings. In 1124, however, due to Geoffrey’s advantageous relationship with the
King who likely supplied both money and workers, several structures were built, including:
A stone tower which served at the heart of the castle’s defences as well as being the main
residence of the castle. It was strongly reinforced with walls 4.3 metres thick. (It was later
converted into an open courtyard in the 1570s, one example of the shift in the castle’s function).
Several chambers, likely including a chapel, accessible from a staircase across the great hall.
A well in the south-east corner, which supplied water to the grounds.
A great hall occupying the upper floor.
Key Events that Involved the Castle.
In 1130, Geoffrey’s relationship with King Henry deteriorated and what followed was an arrest on the
grounds of treason, which he escaped only through bribery. After Geoffrey II’s death – Geoffrey’s son,
who had inherited the castle – Kenilworth was taken into royal control, viewed as a castle of strategic
importance.
Life in the Castle
Although the castle was primarily used for military purposes at this point, a dam had held back a mere
which, after a charter in 1125, allowed the cannon of Kenilworth Priory to fish on Thursdays.
, Kenilworth and the Crown: 1174 – 1244
Overview
During this period, both Henry II and John I invested heavily in fortifying the castle through strong
defences, with the vision of turning Kenilworth into a formidable fortress.
How the Structure of the Castle Changed
Many of Kenilworth’s defences were built during this period, under the direction of Henry II, initially
during the ‘great rebellion,’ before being further reinforced between 1184 and 1189, and again under the
reign of John I. An array of defensive structures were built during this time including:
The outer bailey’s circuit of stone walls.
The twin-towered gatehouse, which housed battlements, and a portcullis in the passageway.
Several wall towers, including Lunn’s Tower, equipped with five arrow loops.
A small barbican.
A heightened dam, in order to increase the size of the mere and enhance its defensive
capabilities.
Residential chambers: although the castle was being heavily fortified, the castle was also
increasingly become a space where people could live happily.
Key Events
This was a turbulent period of the castle’s history wherein Henry II faced the ‘great rebellion,’ where his
sons and his estranged wife plotted, unsuccessfully, to overthrow him and John I launched a campaign to
strengthen major royal castles in light of the papal interdict of 1208 and his own excommunication, as
part of which he spent about £1,100 on Kenilworth.
Life in the Castle
Although no distinct combat happened at the castle during this time period, the castle was not
constructed a place of luxury, but rather was built to be a defensive fortress and thus daily life composed
of work for those who lived within its walls.
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