Norman Conquest

All of the terms you need to know for your tests

Conquest

Taking control of a place or people by military force

Rebellion

A violent protest, often with the aim of removing and replacing a leader

Baron

A Norman landowner

Tax

A sum of money paid to the government or king

Census

An official count or survey, usually of a population

Motte

The hill of dirt on which the castle keep was built

Bailey

An open area below the castle, surrounded by a wooden fence

Palisade

The wooden fence surrounding the bailey

Moat

A ditch filled with water surrounding the castle

Keep

The fortified wooden tower on the motte where the nobles lived

Villein

A peasant who worked for the lord in return for land

Serf

An agricultural laborer bound to his lord by the feudal system

Freemen

Men who were free from most of their feudal duties to a lord

Hierarchy

Where members of society are ranked according to their status