Explore a Norman Square Keep
ne of the most important
types of building constructed in the time of William the Conqueror and William
Rufus were the Norman keeps. The keep had two primary requirements, the first
was to provide comfortable accommodation for the noble and his family, and the
second was to protect the noble from being attacked.
Although many were rebuilt in the following century there are many good examples
still
remaining. The White Tower in London, Dover and Rochester in the south east,
Newcastle, Appleby, Carlisle, Brough, Richmond in the north are all examples of
this type of castle. Other examples
include Portchester, Guilford, Goodrich, Norwich, Castle Rising, Hedingham and
Colchester. A keep was also known as a donjon, a French word. This word was
probably altered over the years and its meaning changed so now the word dungeon
means a small room used as a prison.
Please contact me on Discord if you have any questions, issues or suggestions regarding these reconstructions.
Desktop/Laptop version
Explore the keep
Explore three complete floors of a Norman square keep plus a fourth gallery floor using this 3D reconstruction built using the Unity 3D game engine. Based roughly on the layout of Dover Castle explore the basement and dungeon on the ground floor.
The castles are all built from a roughly uniform plan. A massive square tower with a square turret at each of the corners that project slightly. Each of the main faces of the castle has a flat buttress running up the centre of the wall for extra strength. The only parts that have decoration are usually the main doorway at the entrance and the chapel. At the centre of the keep are large halls. Some keeps have a dividing wall down the middle. Access to different levels and sections of the castle are by passages and spiral staircases built into the thick walls.
Images from this reconstruction
Images from this reconstruction
More reconstructions
Etal, the Border Castle
How about exploring a Northumberland castle built near the Scottish border. An excellent example of a tower house with improved fortifications.
A Motte and Bailey Castle
You may also be interested in exploring a motte and bailey castle. Hundreds of these early medieval castles were build all across Europe.
A Norman Square Keep
You may also be interested in exploring a Norman square keep similar to the one built in the reign of King Henry II at Dover Castle.
White Tower at the Tower of London
How about exploring all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London, the castle built by William the Conqueror after the Norman Invasion.
Explore the Medieval Village
Explore a medieval village, complete with manor house, church, market place and houses.
Virtual Locations Map
Click icons to expore reconstructions
Page Navigation
More castle pages
Pages in this section
Types of castles