The first castles were built by the Normans and were called motte and bailey castles. Motte and bailey castles were first built in wood, then built in stone to make them stronger.

Even though castles were homes they were built to defend the kings, queens and staff that lived there.

Some features that helped defend castles against intruders are high walls, towers so soldiers can keep a watch over the kingdom, holes in the ceilings to pour hot oil on the enemy, archers loops which were slits to shoot arrows through, deep moats which were rivers that circled the castles and a portcullis.

castles were strong but enemies still tried to attack with catapults, battering rams, climbing over the walls with ladders and tunnelling under the walls too.

Dungeons were under the castles to keep prisoners.

The oldest castles in wales is Chepstow castle. They began building in 1067.

Wales has the most castles in Europe.

Hever castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn married Henry viii a Tudor.

Castle of the Teutonic order in Malbork is the biggest castle and that castle is in Poland. The smallest is called Molly's lodge and it is in England.

There are 3 main types of castles. Motte and Bailey castles, stone keep castles and concentric castles.