Adjectives: landscapes

Adjectives: landscapes

Reading and vocabulary: places and tourism

Medieval castles.What was their purpose and significance?

The castle as we know it today was introduced into England in 1066 during the Norman invasion led by William the Conqueror. After their victory at the Battle of Hastings, the Normans settled in England. They constructed castles all over the country in order to control their newly-won territory, and to pacify the Anglo-Saxon population.

Over time, stone castles were built in different architectural styles as builders experimented with castle-building techniques. In their infancy, castles were primarily military fortifications used to defend conquered territories from attack. The strategic location of the castle was paramount. However, once the Normans began to consolidate their control over England, castles began to take on a variety of different roles. Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration.

These timber castles were quite cheap and very quick to build. However, the timber castles did have disadvantages. They were very vulnerable to attacks using fire and the wood would eventually start to rot. Due to these disadvantages, King William ordered that castles should be built in stone. Many of the original timber castles were replaced with stone castles.

Vocabulary: landscapes

• shabby, in a bad state
• calm, quiet, peaceful
• stunning, breathtaking
• old, historic
• unchanged, not altered by tourism
• busy, full of people and noise
• beautiful, lovely, attractive, pleasant
• empty, uninhabited

• unspoilt
• ancient
• deserted
• picturesque
• tranquil
• bustling
• magnificent
• run down

Metropolis

vast

overpopulated

overcrowded

The Pyramids

An old and scenic village in France

A photogenic city somewhere in the USA

Describe these places using the topical vocabulary