The Normans

The Normans were a group of soldiers who came to

Ireland at the request of Dermot, King of Lenister. They arrived in Ireland in 1169 and the land became quite peaceful as the Irish did not have the weapons or know-how to make a successful attack on the Normans Villages and tows began to grow up around the Normans Castles. Who can remember the name of these castles?

 The Motte and Bailey were built by the Normans for

protection against attack. They were built to remind the Irish who was in control and the rulers of the area. The Motte was often built on a hill so the Normans could look down on all their land and also look out for an oncoming attack. The Bailey is where the new villages and towns grew up. It was where the workers and towns people lived.

 The Motte and bailey which was once made out of

wood was change and they began building in from stone. Why do you think this is?

 When did the Normans come to Ireland?

In what era did they rule?

Where did they live? What where their castles made out of?

Why did they build new castles?

What was found in these new castles?

 Woodcutters lived outside the castle. They would saw

down large trees with hand-saws.

This wood was used for building or cut into some logs

for fires.

 The wheelwright gets timber from the wood cutters

and are kept busy making and repairing wheels of all kinds.

The wheels were made from different types of wood

and hot iron which was put around the rim.

 The Blacksmith was a very skilled craftsman who made

shoes for horses. He heated strips of iron and then beat them into shape with a hammer.

 The Apprentice was a young man wishing to become a

craftsman at about the age of fourteen. He would work for seven years learning the trade before he would become a craftsman.

 As soon as they were old enough children helped with

the work on the farm. Younger children collected firewood and minded the animals. The older children helped in the fields and kept watch for wolves. There were no schools and most children did not learn to read or write. They spent all their time learning from their parents and working on the farm.

 Who worked outside the castle?

What was the wood from the woodcutters used for?

Why do you think villages and towns grew up around

Normans castles? What age did a boy become an apprentice? What did the children do on the farm? What did the children learn about in school? Were you all listening?!

 Imagine you are a child working on a farm in medieval

times in Ireland. Describe why it is important to you and your parents and what work you do. Talk about how you feel about working on the farm and what would you do if you were not working on the farm helping your parents.