Why is it called a Motte and Bailey Castle?
Why is it called a Motte and Bailey Castle? Motte and bailey was the name given to the first real castles built in England. This unusual name comes from France. Motte means 'mound' and bailey means 'closed/fenced-in' land. They have a French name because the Normans first built them after they had won the Battle of Hastings in AD 1066.
Why did William introduce motte and bailey castles?
As a result, from 1066 to 1087 William and the Normans built nearly 700 motte and bailey castles across England and Wales. These castles, which were relatively quick to build, but difficult to capture, formed a key part of William's strategy for controlling his new domain.
What are the 3 types of castles?
The three main types of castles are the motte and bailey castle, the stone keep castle, and the concentric castle.
What is at the bottom of a motte?
On the outside of the fence, there would have been a moat that ran around the bailey and all the way around bottom of the motte (the motte would have been like an island). There would be many buildings inside the bailey. Some of these included stables, storehouse, ale house, bakeries, kitchens, and houses.
What are old castles called?
Medieval Castle: Motte and Bailey Castles Motte and Bailiey castles were the earliest form of medieval castles built completely from scratch by the Normans. As their name suggests they had two parts the Motte and the Bailey. The Motte was a large hill made of earth on which was built a wooden keep or lookout.
Why is a castle called a keep?
Since the 16th century, the English word keep has commonly referred to large towers in castles. The word originates from around 1375 to 1376, coming from the Middle English term kype, meaning basket or cask, and was a term applied to the shell keep at Guînes, said to resemble a barrel.
What replaced castles?
As a result, true castles went into decline and were replaced by artillery forts with no role in civil administration, and country houses that were indefensible.
What is the water around a castle called?
moat, a depression surrounding a castle, city wall, or other fortification, usually but not always filled with water.