The Results of the Norman Invasion on Anglo Saxon Gardens

The Anglo-Saxon way of life was drastically changed by the appearance of the Normans in the later eleventh century. The Normans were much better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. However the Normans had to pacify the overall territory before they could focus on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were usually important stone buildings located in the biggest and most fecund valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their inhabitants devoted time and space to projects for offense and defense. The barren (browse around here) fortresses did not provide for the quiet avocation of horticulture. Berkeley Castle is most likely the most complete model in existence today of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture. It is said that the keep was introduced during William the Conqueror's time. As a technique of deterring assailants from tunneling within the walls, an immense terrace surrounds the building. On one of these parapets is a scenic bowling green covered in grass and bordered by an aged hedge of yew that has been designed into coarse battlements.