Motte and bailey

Evolution of Castles in Medieval Europe

By LethalWeapon
  • Jan 1, 1066

    Normans Switch To Stone Keeps

    Normans Switch To Stone Keeps
    Rectangular stone keeps are typical of the permanent castles built by the Normans after their conquest of England in 1066.
  • Jan 1, 1078

    Tower of London is Built

    Tower of London is Built
    The Tower of Normandy was built by William the Conqueror in 1078-87 AD. It is now a major tourist attraction in London.
  • Jan 1, 1095

    Castle of Gisors Was Built

    Castle of Gisors Was Built
    The Castle of Gisors is a castle in the town of Gisors in the department of Eure, France. The castle was a key fortress of the Dukes of Normandy in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was intended to defend the Anglo-Norman Vexin territory from the pretensions of the King of France.
  • Jan 1, 1142

    The Castle of Krak de Chevaliers Was Built

    The Castle of Krak de Chevaliers Was Built
    The Castle of Krak de Chevaliers in Syria was built by the crusading order the Knights Hospitallers from 1142 AD.
    It became the Crusader's HQ housing 20,000 soldiers and holding out for 130 years.
  • Jan 1, 1151

    Castle of Gisors Was Rebuilt Using Stone

    Castle of Gisors Was Rebuilt Using Stone
    The Castle of Gisors, the wooden structure, was rebuilt using stone in 1151.
  • Jan 1, 1200

    Castles Became More Beautiful

    Castles Became More Beautiful
    In the high Middle Ages castles design began to include features to make the castles more beautiful. This was a way of signifying the wealth and refinement of the owner.
  • Jan 1, 1242

    Rocca Flea was Built

    Rocca Flea was Built
    Rocca Flea (Flea Castle) was first built in 1242 AD and then rebuilt in 1350 AD showing many of the advanced features' of the High medieval period. It is located in Umbria in Central Italy.
  • Jan 1, 1274

    The Castle of Malbork Was Built

    The Castle of Malbork Was Built
    The Castle of Malbork in Poland was built in 1274 by the Teutonic knights as their head quarters.
  • Jan 1, 1400

    Castles Develop Cannons

    Castles Develop Cannons
    Cannons became common in the 1400s AD so castles lost a lot of their military use. Slowly they evolved to simply become large residences loosing defensive features along the way.
  • Jan 1, 1519

    The Château de Chambord Was Built

    The Château de Chambord Was Built
    The Château de Chambord is a famous renaissance castle located in the Loire Valley of France. It was built by King Francis I of France as a private retreat between 1519 and 1547 AD.
  • Period: to Dec 31, 1500

    Evolution of Castles in Medieval Europe