Castles and Knights

What is the deep, water-filled ditch around a castle called?

• AA moat✓
• BA pond
• CA puddle
• DA river

Answer: A moat is a wide ring of water around a castle that made it harder for enemies to get inside.

What did a knight wear to protect his body in battle?

• AA raincoat
• BA suit of armour✓
• CA cape
• DA woolly jumper

Answer: Knights wore metal armour to protect their bodies from swords and arrows during a fight.

What is the special bridge called that could be pulled up to close a castle's entrance?

• AA footbridge
• BA slide
• CA drawbridge✓
• DA rope bridge

Answer: A drawbridge could be lifted up over the moat to stop enemies from crossing into the castle.

What was the strong central tower of a castle, where people were safest, called?

• AThe garage
• BThe attic
• CThe shed
• DThe keep✓

Answer: The keep was the tallest, strongest part of the castle where people could shelter if enemies attacked.

A young boy who was training to become a knight was first known as what?

• AA page✓
• BA pirate
• CA farmer
• DA jester

Answer: Boys began training to be knights as a page, then became a squire before finally becoming a knight.

What was the sport called where two knights on horseback charged at each other with long poles called lances?

• ASkating
• BBowling
• CJousting✓
• DFishing

Answer: Jousting was an exciting contest where knights on horses tried to knock each other down using lances.

The first castles the Normans built were made from a mound of earth and wood. What are these called?

• AIce castles
• BMotte and bailey castles✓
• CSandcastles
• DGlass castles

Answer: Motte and bailey castles had a wooden tower on a raised mound (the motte) next to an enclosed yard (the bailey).

What were the gaps at the top of castle walls called, where soldiers could hide and then look out?

• ADoorways
• BWindows
• CChimneys
• DBattlements✓

Answer: Battlements were the toothed tops of castle walls that soldiers could shelter behind and shoot arrows through.