Portchester Castle, below), to guard South-East England from Saxon raiders in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. ... What distinguishes the castle from these and other, later fortifications is its function as a private residence. ... Immediately below the king was a group of major landholders who held their land directly from him, his tenants-in-chief. ... The entrance to the bailey was by means of a strongly defended gate, fronting a bridge over the ditch. ... The bailey could cover anywhere from one to three acres. ...

• Word Count: 5493
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: High School

Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. ... After the Ice Age finished Ireland was mostly populated by settlers from Scotland, although there were probably those who came across when there was still a land bridge between the two countries. ... The monasteries became centres from which the monks could convert. ... This goes a long way to explaining their willingness to write down the pagan histories of the Celts when it so obviously contrasted sharply with the general view of Christianity. ... While still many small kingdoms and tribes abounded, by the 9th Century the country was dominate...

• Word Count: 10019
• Approx Pages: 40
• Grade Level: Undergraduate