Norman Conquests

Here are some more information for Norman Conquests:

Having a passion for London and its history makes the Museum of London take the number one spot for places to visit whenever I go there. Being one of the world's largest urban history museums it tells the story of London's turbulent and fascinating development from a street level perspective, the good, the bad and downright shocking aspects of life in the city through the ages.

I would call the museum of London the people's museum, as it reflects the ordinary persons journey through the city's many changes from the story of the Thames Valley and the people who lived there from 450,000BC to the founding of Londinium in AD50, right up to the present time. No matter what your interest is there will be something for you in one of the nine permanent galleries and many special exhibitions and events.

Like London itself, the museum is forever changing and it has recently finished a 20 million pound expansion which has only enhanced and made it a perfect place for all the family to visit with five new galleries with over 7,000 objects, interactive learning and specially designed family areas along with film shows and ever changing displays. Its mission is to inspire a passion for London so if unlike me you don't already have a love of the city I'm sure you will after your visit.

Among the permanent exhibits you will find out all about London during Roman and Medieval times, disasters such as the plague, the great fire and what life was like during the wars, how it has developed into so much more than being the capital of England but as a major player as a World City as well. So if you are looking for an unforgettable journey through the capital's amazing past, from a time when lions and goodness knows what else roamed Trafalgar Square to the Roman and Norman conquests, walk along a Victorian street or to experience London in the swinging sixties right through to the issues of 21st century Londoners, then the Museum of London is definitely for you.

Situated at the London Wall, EC2Y 5HN the museum is in the heart of historical London and is within easy reach of the Barbican, St Pauls and Moorgate underground stations and although there is a car park underneath the museum to avoid costly parking fees and the congestion charges for entering the city I recommend that you take advantage of the many cheap public transport tickets available. For all the up to date information and to plan your visit go to the Museum of London website at http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Steve Tallamy is a Freelance writer and if you would like to read more of his work or find out more about how he could help you with your own article, blog, review or newsletter writing visit his website which is at http://www.writeforyoursite.co.uk

A History of King Henry VIII and the Tudor Conquest of Ireland

King Henry VIII's reign saw a new departure regarding the English crown's attitude and policy to Ireland. Before his reign the English crown held no sway in most parts of Ireland, however by the time Henry's daughter Elizabeth passed over to her successor King James I of England he was undisputed ruler of the entire island of Ireland. Between the four sovereigns of the House of Tudor - Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth; they completed the conquest of Ireland. By 1500, England had delegated the running of Ireland to the most powerful of the Hiberno-Norman families, the Fitzgeralds of Kildare. However, they supported a number of Yoirkist pretenders to the English throne and finally staged a rebellion led by Silken Thomas. Henry crushed the rebellion and now sought to implement a cost effective method of protecting the Pale and protecting England's vulnerable western flank from foreign invasion. He implemented a system of surrender and regrant in which the Gaelic lords were encouraged to surrender their lands to the king and have them returned if they swore an oath of loyalty. Those who surrendered were expected to speak English, wear English style clothes, pay rent, remain loyal to the Crown and in return they would be protected and could sit in the Irish parliament. Henry's intention was to completely transform the Irish population from its disparate parts to one class, all of whom would be anglicised. King Henry VIII also attempted to introduce the Reformation into Ireland as part of the policy of Anglicisation of the country. It was only successful in the Pale, where by the end of Henry's reign, all the religious houses had been dissolved. However, it ultimately had little success, Henry's successor Edward VI met with resistance, his successor, Mary, was a Catholic and she officially restored Catholicism. Queen Elizabeth I attempted to implement Protestantism across all her dominions. She met with very stiff opposition from Catholicism in Ireland, in fact it soon became a banner for Irish unity and as resistance to the English crown.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

About the Author

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

What types of castles were built in Wales before the Norman Conquest?

I hear motte and bailey fortifications were built after 1066, but then what was used prior to that? What types of buildings did the Kings and nobility live in?

Ewyas Harold lies at the Southern end of the Golden Valley. The castle, c300yds west of the church, occupies the end of a spur running out from the west side of the valley.

Description of the site today.

This castle is a remarkable example of a motte and bailey earthwork. The almost circular motte measures an average of 74m NW – SE and 64m transversely. It rises 13m above the ditch, which separates it from the spur. The motte is 10m above the kidney shaped bailey.

This is from another site. This site is very interesting:
Castles had not yet existed anywhere in Wales before the Norman Conquest. Yet over the following two centuries many hundreds were to be established. It is, therefore, essentially with the Normans and their successors that we associate the castle in Britain. And this popular notion has much historical justification. The Normans were organizers and militarists of genius. They did not invent armored cavalry; nor did they invent fortified bases; and they certainly did not invent the basic concept of feudalism, which was the holding of land from a superior lord in exchange for knight-service. But they were the first to combine all three and regulate the resulting system in a thoroughly businesslike manner.

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