Motte and Bailey Castles + Motte and Keep Castles – 1000

Keep and Bailey Castles

Key Features

Roughly circular enclosure known as a bailey
Defensive walls and ditches
Central Stronghold for added defence known as a keep
Mainly wooden and rough stone wall construction

Information

The type of Castle a Saxon Lord would live in relative saftey from an attack, in times of need and trouble the surrounding population could find shelter and safety in the ‘Bailey’.

Motte and Bailey Castle

Key Features
Earth and timber construction
Central stronghold raised on mound (motte)
Motte built from scratch or reuse of existing feature
Extra ditches around motte
Many hundreds built during the Norman Conquest of Britain

Information

This type of castle popped up all over the country and particularly on the Welsh border in the wake of the norman invasion in 1066 to keep locals under control and provided norman authority and forces with protection.

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