The Normans

Transport

Large shire horses came over with the Normans. They were destined to be the sole means of pulling heavy wagons, coaches and carts for the next eight centuries. By the year 1000 horseshoes were being used in Europe which enabled horses to take goods over longer distances.

For most of this time roads were muddy, or dusty, rutted tracks. Donkeys, mules and packhorses carried loads across hills and areas where there were not even tracks.

Most people travelled from place to place on their own two feet!

Look at the picture. What had to be invented before horses could pull heavy loads?

Click the picture for an answer

The wind was the source of power for sea going boats and ships until well into Victorian times.

These flat bottomed boats are a development of the Viking long boat, which have been described as a 'deckless masterpiece of joinery'.

They had a keel, a steering oar with a tiller and a square sail.

They were very roomy.

William the Conqueror had horses and 'flat pack' wooden castles carried across the channel in the bottom of them.

The Normans did not dock this boat in a harbour. How did they reach shore?