What was a motte and bailey castle used for?

What was a motte and bailey castle used for?

Motte and bailey castles were a form of castle structure that enabled the new Norman conquerors of England and Wales to secure areas of land quickly and cheaply. The Normans needed a castle design they could erect quickly to subdue the vanquished Britons.

What was a motte used for?

A motte was an earth mound, forming a defensible raised platform on which a tower – a keep – could be built. The earth for the motte would be taken from around its own base, forming a deep ditch, aiding the builders’ ability to defend.

Why was the motte important?

The motte served two main functions – it was a look-out spot, given its height, and its keep would serve as the last stronghold in the event of the castle being attacked. The Bayeux Tapestry, dating from the eleventh century, depicts the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

How did motte and bailey castles help control England?

Wooden motte and bailey castles helped William to quickly control the English BUT they burned easily and they rotted. Later castles were built from stone. These stone castles were impressive and showed everyone the baron was in charge and it was also a safe place from which to rule the local area.

When were motte and bailey castles used?

Motte and bailey castles appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Motte and bailey castles were a common feature in England by the death of William the Conqueror in 1087. Their construction was the start of what was to become a massive castle building programme in England and Wales.

Why was the Normandy Embassy important?

Harold’s Embassy to Normandy is important in three main ways: it showed that Harold was King Edward’s most trusted adviser; the Normans used it to boost William’s claim to the throne; and it was used by the Normans to portray Harold as an oath-breaker after Harold became king instead of helping William to the throne of …

What is the submission of the Earls?

They wanted to become the person William, the most powerful man in England, trusted the most. They wanted rewards and honour, hence why some submitted more quickly than others. Why did the Earls want land so much after their submission?

What are the main features of a motte and bailey castle?

A motte and bailey castle is, as the name suggests, made up of two parts: the motte and the bailey. The motte is a raised mound or earthwork with a stone or wooden keep (a fortified tower) on top . The bailey is a courtyard enclosed and protected by a ditch and a palisade (a wall made from lare wooden stakes).

What animals were kept on a motte and bailey castle?

The bailey would typically contain a hall, stables for the horses and cattle, a chapel, and huts for the nobleman’s people. There were often shops inside the bailey for local merchants. Motte and bailey castles later evolved into Norman castles that evolved later into even better Concentric castles.

How did motte and bailey castles get their name?

Regardless, the name ‘motte and bailey’ derives from the Norman words for ‘mound’ (motte), and ‘enclosure’ (bailey). These words describe the most important aspects of the castles’ design.

What does a motte and bailey castle consist of?

A motte-and-bailey castle was made up of two structures: a motte (a type of mound – often artificial – topped with a wooden or stone structure known as a keep ); and at least one bailey (a fortified enclosure built next to the motte). The term motte-and-bailey is a relatively modern one, and is not medieval in origin.