"English peoples lives were not affected very much by the building of castles." To what extent do you agree?

how am I meant to start?
what should I say?

You first have to decide if most English people were affected by the building of castles. What do you think?

yes they were affected. these are some bad points, English peoples houses were pulled down, they were often made to work as slaves, families who lost their homes had to look after themselves and there were troops of heavily armed Norman knights riding through there towns and villages, men had the power of life or death over them. here are some good points, each castle provided work for the English, huts and houses were built attracting further settlers like traders and innkeepers and some English people still had castles left.

do these points help?

Yes, they certainly do help. I don't think any of them were slaves, but many people were serfs, just a little better than slaves.

You can start with this statement:

English people were affected by the building of castles.

To start addressing the statement, "English peoples lives were not affected very much by the building of castles," it is important to provide an introduction that sets the context for the discussion. Here's how you can begin:

Introduction:
"The construction of castles in England has long been seen as a significant part of its history. While the statement claims that the building of castles had minimal impact on the lives of English people, it is crucial to examine this claim in detail and assess the extent to which it holds true. In order to do so, we will explore various aspects such as the social, economic, and political consequences of castle construction on English society."

After establishing the introduction, you can proceed to mention specific areas that were potentially influenced by castle building. Consider the following points:

1. Social Impact:
Discuss how the presence of castles affected the lives of English people from a social perspective. Address aspects such as the role of castles in shaping local communities, social hierarchies, and the division of power among aristocrats and commoners.

2. Economic Impact:
Explain how the construction of castles may have impacted the economy at the time. Touch upon topics like the employment opportunities created, the financial burdens imposed on local populations, and the changes in trade and commerce due to castle construction.

3. Political Impact:
Analyze the influence of castles on the political landscape of England. Take into account factors like the control exerted by castle owners over surrounding areas, the defense and militarization strategies employed, and the impact of castle ownership on the monarchy's authority.

4. Regional Disparities:
Consider any regional disparities that may have arisen as a result of castle building. Examine whether certain areas were more heavily affected by the construction of castles than others, and how this affected the lives of the people in those regions.

5. Counterarguments and Limitations:
Acknowledge potential counterarguments that support the claim of limited impact. Additionally, recognize any limitations to your analysis, such as gaps in historical records or the inability to capture the perspectives of all social groups.

Conclusion:
Summarize the key points discussed and provide a balanced assessment of the extent to which the lives of English people were affected by the building of castles. Clearly state whether you agree with the initial statement or not, and support your stance with evidence and reasoning.

Remember, this is just a suggested structure. You can adapt it according to your own analysis and the specific information you have gathered.