ISO Certified
UL Approved

The word “motte” is the French version of the Latin “mota”, it was an early word for “turf” and by the 12th century it was used to refer to the castle design itself. The huge motte with its timber tower on top gave the defenders an advantage. The Normans were master castle builders. They were used to keep the Saxons tamed. A motte-and-bailey is a kind of castle, or fortification. The stone layers were needed to strengthen the motte and to assist drainage. However, a large motte was very difficult to build as it took disproportionately more effort to pile up earth than in the case of smaller hills. Motte and bailey castles were a common feature in England by the death of William the Conqueror in 1087. Motte and Bailey castles were first built in Normandy. As a mark of their success, there were around 1,000 motte and bailey castles built in England, Wales and Scotland. A motte is a built-up mound of land, and a bailey is an enclosed courtyard. Most of these were motte-and-bailey castles, built using forced Anglo-Saxon workers: the motte was a high mound on which a wooden tower was constructed; the bailey was the courtyard at the bottom of the mound with: living quarters, stables, workshops and perhaps a chapel. The castles the Normans built were of a type new to England. They were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks. School History is the largest library of history teaching and study resources on the internet. Motte and bailey castles became common in England at the time of William the Conqueror’s death in 1087.The construction of them prompted the future of a huge programme of castle building in England and Wales. William and his men were invaders and his army would have had to be on a constant guard especially in the immediate days after Hastings. By the end of the 11th century, these structures, especially the ones made out of earth and timber, began to fall from favour for various reasons. French noblemen took to protecting themselves in fortified buildings that were known as castellans – these served as private fortifications in which people and animals were protected from these feared invaders. The fortification consisted of a wooden keep that was placed on a raised earthwork called a motte, overlooking an enclosed courtyard called the bailey. Motte and bailey castles were made of wood. The kings of France had little idea on how to defeat the Vikings. The motte was often artificial and on top, a wooden or stone tower was built. In the bailey, people and animals lived in relative safety in times of peace as they were surrounded by a large wooden fence that kept out attackers and wild animals. A bailey usually contained stables, a hall, workshops, a well, and a chapel. He allowed the Saxon nobles to keep their land and he tried to learn English. However, this series of castle building did not cause the problem to disappear. William responded by marching his feared army to a trouble spot and re-asserting his authority. Here he built his third English castle after Pevensey and Hastings. Each Norman knight was an invader and building a motte and bailey castle for himself and his soldiers was basic commonsense as they were highly unpopular with the Saxons. They were called motte and bailey castles.. A timber keep, or fort, was perched on top of an earth mound, or motte.The height of the motte allowed the soldiers to keep watch over the surrounding country. Small and medium mottes could not sustain a large keep, and this meant that living quarters were essentially small and cramped. These castles were motte-and-bailey castles, which were quick and cheep to build and required no skilled labor. In England and Wales, only 7% of mottes were taller than 10 metres, around 24% were between 5 and 10 metres, and 69% were less than 5 metres in height. In many senses, it was seen as bandit-country then. They were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks. Castles began to emerge in Europe as early as the 9 th century, but the first structures that we can truly call ‘castles’ were motte-and-bailey fortifications. Attackers would often find out that the keep on top of the motte was extremely hard to capture as the height of the motte and the ditch surrounding it gave its defenders significant advantages. The film looks at why they were built, their strenghts and their weaknesses. Also, it would keep it the castle standing for a long amount of time. Some castles had more than one bailey, and a good example of this is Windsor Castle in England, where several baileys flank the motte. These castles, which were quick to build, sprang up all over England during the first years after the Battle of Hastings. After he invaded England in 1066, William needed to construct castles in large numbers. The motte was a _____ hill, which would normally be man-made. This land bordered Wales and the area was seen as a refuge for thieves and villains. Stone castles replaced the motte and bailey castles but the stone castles also changed over time. They were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks. These castles, which were quick to build, sprang up all over England during the first years after the Battle of Hastings. The first, in 1066, was a temporary earth and timber motte and bailey castle on the site of an older fortification at Dane John, the mound still visible today within Dane John Gardens. The bailey was the centre of domestic life within the castle and could contain a variety of buildings, like halls, kitchens, stores, stables, a chapel, barracks and workshops. Motte and bailey castles were adopted in Scotland, Ireland, the Low Countries and Denmark in the 12th and 13th centuries. Motte and bailey castles were an early type of castle. However, the castle style can also be seen in the Germany, Denmark, Ireland, … The bailey was designed so that any point on its circumference (outer edge) would be within bowshot of the tower. Motte and bailey castles were first used in England by the Normans. Research on one of William’s motte and bailey castles at Hampstead Marshall shows that the motte contains 22,000 tons of soil. Motte and bailey castles appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Building castles then was very labour intensive. However, building a motte was a skilled achievement. Facts about Motte and Bailey Castles 3: The style of motte and bailey castle There are many countries which used motte and bailey style, especially in northern Europe, Normandy, and Britain. Oct 23, 2017 - Just like our very own Norman Oakham Castle (1180 -1190). A short film about Motte and Bailey Castles. Fortified settlements first appeared over 2,000 years ago, where fortified towns started to appear in the Indus Valley in Egypt and also in China, where settlements were often protected by large earthen walls. Often, the ditch of the motte and the bailey joined, forming a figure of eight around the castle. Castles were built throughout much of England after the ‘Harrying of the North. One of William’s closest acquaintances was Roger of Montgomery who became earl of Shropshire. This is why the English/Welsh border has so many surviving mottes near it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'historylearningsite_co_uk-leader-1','ezslot_13',115,'0','0'])); No-one is quite sure how many motte and bailey castles were built in England by the Normans. Between 1070 and 1087 an additional 85 stone castles were built across England. Some of the largest mottes could be as high as 30 metres and as large as 90 metres in diameter, but they were rarely used. The Normans achieved great fame for their castle building. These castles, which were quick to build, sprang up all over England during the first years after the Battle of Hastings. In 1069, they targeted the most obvious sign of William’s authority – the castle of York. Stone castles were built taller and gave better protection against attack, fire and cold rainy weather. Motte and Bailey Castles were a common design of castles in the Middle Ages, combining ease of construction with defensibility. However, for two years up to 1068, he was faced with rebellions throughout his new kingdom. This castle was not heavily defended and the Normans soldiers there were beaten and the castle was burnt to the ground. Be able to teach Motte and Bailey Castles to your students? Description. If some motte-and-bailey castles could be constructed in less than a month, a medium size stone castle would have taken a minimum of five years to build, while a large size stone castle … It was always surrounded by a protective wall, be it from wood or stone. These structures are of northern European design, and can also be found in Denmark and Germany, but also even in southern Italy, and occasionally beyond. Feb 27, 2017 - Explore Caitriona O'Dare's board "motte and bailey castle" on Pinterest. In these castles, there was a fortified building (the castle) on top of a man-made hill called a motte. The Normans brought the design to England and Wales following their invasion in 1066, led by William the Conqueror. They were abandoned because they required extensive and often costly repairs and ongoing maintenance. The castle survives as a large steep-sided circular mound or motte with an oval stone-built shell keep on the summit. Our worksheet bundle includes a fact file and printable worksheets and student activities. In many senses, it was seen as bandit-country then. With the population of England seemingly subdued, William started a programme of building. Many of them were used as the foundations for the newly designed stone castles, and such, the motte and bailey castles morphed, and endured, for a couple of hundred years more. Thanks to the Norman influence in southern Italy and Sicily, a small number of castles were also built there. Such defensive structures were When was the first Motte and Bailey Castle built? Motte and bailey castles were used all over Europe. They were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks. The Motte and bailey castles became a less popular design in the mid-medieval period. Stone buildings could be much larger and grander than simple wooden designs, providing more luxurious accommodation for nobles The designers could use an existing mound or hill for the foundation and this would often save significant construction time. These castles, which were quick to build, sprang up all over England during the first years after the Battle of Hastings. Motte and Bailey castles Those who rebelled against William’s power, gathered in the north of England. Motte and Bailey Castles What Is a Motte and Bailey Castle? Mottes varied considerably in size, usually with the minimum height being at around 3 metres. William the Conqueror (then the Duke of Normandy), observing their success in neighbouring Anjou, began to build them on his Norman lands. The steep embankment on the side of the motte was known as a scarp. Their biggest advantage, the fact that the primary building material was wood, became the greatest disadvantage. After his victory at Hastings in 1066, William moved around the south coast to Dover. The bailey was usually kidney-shaped to fit against a circular motte, but frequently, the terrain dictated its shape. It was now that William took away land from the Saxon nobles and gave it to his own nobility. They used motte-and-bailey castles after winning the Battle of Hastings in … Why was this so? Motte and bailey castles were a common feature in England by the death of William the Conqueror in 1087. Relatively quick to build, the height of the mound made the tower difficult to attack while the wall offered a place of refuge from opportunist raiders. We provide high-quality teaching and revision materials for UK and international history curriculum. The design of each castle basically adapted to its natural surroundings. With the population of England seemingly subdued, William started a programme of building stone castles. By the end of the 13th century, the design was largely superseded by alternative forms of fortification, but the earthworks remain a prominent feature in many countries. It is believed that over 1000 motte and bailey castles were built in England by the Normans. Once the people of England had been tamed, William moved onto grander castles. This land bordered Wales and the area was seen as a refuge for thieves and villains. A motte was protected by a ditch that surrounded the area, and this would have been the source of the earth and soil for constructing the mound itself. Motte and Bailey castles were first built in Normandy. The smaller mottes could only support a simple tower but the larger ones could support more complex structures that often contain multiple rooms. The bailey was surrounded by a protective ditch and wall of wooden fence (a palisade). Motte and Bailey castles were built in the 11th century just after the battle of Hastings in 1066. Stone castles were built taller and gave better protection against attack, fire and cold rainy weather. The reason for this was that it took an enormous effort to pile up such a huge volume of earth. The first Motte and Bailey Castle was built at Mont Glonme on the River Loire in France in 990 - so the Normans were used to using the castle to dominate their tenants under the feudal system. These structures consist of a hill (the motte) and a courtyard (the bailey). Motte and Bailey Castles Facts & Worksheets, Download Motte and Bailey Castles Worksheets, Historical background of motte and bailey castles. 1066–1500 This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in … They demonstrated his control of the population, ensured protection for his soldiers, and solidified his rule in remote parts of th… 4 The motte was usually round. (this was … As a result, Roger embarked on a major castle-building programme with over 70 motte and bailey castles built. Motte and Bailey castles were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. A short film about Motte and Bailey Castles. As a result, Roger embarked on a major castle-building programme with over 70 motte and bailey castles built. Some mottes were built over older artificial structures, such as Bronze Age barrows. William had 8000 men to try and consolidate his power in England. William was a highly skilled and feared soldier who had learned his military skills in northern France. Stone castles had a number of advantages over wooden motte and bailey. A motte-and-bailey is a kind of castle, or fortification.Many of them were built in the 11th and 12th century around Europe.. This meant that a motte and bailey castle could be built quite quickly using just local manpower, earth and timber. Motte-and-Bailey Castles In 1067, William started building the Tower of London to show everyone how powerful he was. As a mark of their success, there were around 1,000 motte and bailey castles built in England, Wales and Scotland. A motte is a built-up mound of land, and a bailey is an enclosed courtyard. 4 The motte was usually round. Do you want to save dozens of hours in time? To avoid the perils of fire, improve durability, and increase the castle’s defence, the obvious solution was to replace timber with stone as much as possible. Motte and bailey castles were built by the Norman invaders after they invaded in 1066. The Motte was a steep-sided artificial mound, built in much the same way as a sand-castles are built. Stone keep castles were built because it wasn't going to burn or rot like Motte and Bailey castles would. These castles, which were quick to build, sprang up all over England during the first years after the Battle of Hastings. York Castle was also rebuilt. Building Motte and Bailey castles were a great way of securing the towns that had submitted to his power. Motte and Bailey castles were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. French kings had gained a reputation for building castles. The first recorded motte in England was in 1051 when French castle builders were building one for the English king in Hereford. When the timber Motte and Bailey Castles were completed many were covered in white plaster - which made them look as if they were made of stone. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he brought this castle design with him. It wasn’t uncommon for the tower to be built and then partially buried within the mound, with the buried part forming a cellar. Why were Motte and Bailey Castles Important? The motte was often artificial and on top, a wooden or stone tower was built. Sophisticated fire-launching techniques were designed to burn down the castles and they were used with great success. Facts about Motte and Bailey Castle will give you information about the first type of castle which was built in England in 1066 after the Norman conquest. Timber also tends to rot easily, and many of these early castles ran into disrepair and were abandoned. The first motte-and-bailey castle was built at Vincy, Northern France, in 979. This meant that he did not have to fight for London – and the people of London were spared their city being torched. No original complete motte and bailey castles exist in England, but the huge stone fortifications William started certainly are. The kings of France had little idea on how to defeat the Vikings. Motte-and-bailey castles also began to appear in Denmark at this time, although in fewer numbers, perhaps because feudalism was less widespread there. These structures consist of a hill (the motte) and a courtyard (the bailey). Even shooting firing arrows at the castle could have devastating effects. A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. The motte and bailey castle was an early form of medieval fortification especially popular with the Normans in northern France and Britain during the 11th century CE. It is thought that as many as 100,000 people died of starvation. Norman soldiers destroyed anything that might have been of use to those who lived in the north. Managed by Caboodle UX design studio in London, Citation: C N Trueman "Motte and Bailey Castles", Motte and bailey castles appeared in England after the, French kings had gained a reputation for building castles. This was the factor that allowed the Normans to consolidate their power very quickly, as they moved on to conquer each region. This was their way of coping with the constant attacks by Vikings from Scandinavia. As a marker of their success, almost 1,000 motte-and-bailey castles were built in England, Wales, and Scotland. By the time of Edward I, concentric castles were being built. Windsor Castle, in England, is an example of a motte and bailey castle. Motte and bailey castles were first used by the Normans as far back as 1020 AD. They were quick to build, a visible sign of the Normans power and by 1070, the Normans had great expertise in building them. This served as a final fighting place where soldiers would retreat if the rest of the castle had been breached. Motte and Bailey Castles were a common design of castles in the Middle Ages, combining ease of construction with defensibility. There are motte and bailey castles in every county of Wales, England, and Scotland. It is possible that local towns people were coerced into working extremely hard to complete the task. The first Norman castles built in England were designed after the timber and earthwork castles on the Continent. The first record of a motte and bailey castle in France appeared at the start of the 11th Century. The Normans constructed these sites as administrative centres for their Up until that point, there was little or no castle building in England. The castle on the motte was reached either by wooden stairs that could be destroyed if the castle itself was attacked or by a ‘flying bridge’ that connected the bailey to the castle. The Normans were huge advocates of this type of castle design and this was also a decisive factor in their conquest of the British Isles. French noblemen took to protecting themselves in fortified buildings that were known as castellans – these served as private fortifications in which people and animals were protected from these feared invaderseval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'historylearningsite_co_uk-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',114,'0','0'])); Some of the Vikings eventually stayed in northern France and the Norsemen became the Normans. Those with wooden keeps rotted away, leaving a handful of odd-shaped hills scattered across the landscape – the only indicator that they ever existed. However, the French were unpopular with the local population and the French builders left without anything substantial being built. The motte and bailey castle Remember, William’s troops were an invading force and not exactly secure in all parts of the country. The biggest advantage of the motte and bailey design was how extremely cheap and easy it was to build. Get your evenings and weekends back? In 1066 William arrived at Pevensey and straight away decided to build a castle as protection for himself and the men he valued most. Alternatively, some other castles were designed with a single bailey and two mottes, such as Lincoln Castle. The sides were steep to prevent attackers running up them quickly. Over the following decades the Dukes of Anjou popularised the design. The Normans then quickly ordered the construction of many other castles to show the English that they were now in control. Motte and bailey castles were only temporary features (though many mottes exist to this day) while stone keep castles were built to last. However, by counting the number of mottes that exist in England, archaeologists believe that the Normans built around 500 – one every two weeks between 1066 and 1086. After William’s response to the rebellion in the north of England, many areas were simply too scared to rebel. Stone Castles were the natural evolution after motte-and-bailey castles began to fall from fashion. Motte and Bailey Castles Motte and bailey castles were made up of two _____ parts. Motte and bailey castles were fortifications that had a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. 3 The first castles built by William the Conqueror were motte and bailey castles. The Normans constructed these sites as administrative centres for their newly acquired kingdom, and as a way of barracking troops to maintain control over local populations. In order for a large tower to be built, that would accommodate the lord and his servants, castles needed bigger mottes. A single tower was built on (or partially within) the motte or earth mound while a courtyard area or bailey at the base was protected by a wooden palisade and an encircling outer ditch. It is very hard to determine whether a mound is man-made or natural without excavation. These facts, alongside others, forced the noble class to forego the simple motte and bailey design and turn to more complex design principles to build the large castles that their status and people needed for economics, politics, and defense. Motte and Bailey castles were first built in Normandy. Once William had firmly established his rule in England, he built huge stone keep castles. Motte and Bailey castles were built in Britain, Ireland and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. The largest towers were often equipped with cellars and granaries, more living rooms and rooms for the watchmen, and the servants appointed there. Many of them were built in the 11th and 12th century around Europe. After William defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings, he struggled for five years winning battles against rebels in the north of England and building Norman motte and bailey castles everywhere, which consolidated his new realm. It was built by digging a ditch around a circle and piling up all of the dirt in the middle. Stone castles were stronger and did not rot like wood, but they were expensive and took many years to build. Motte and Bailiey castles were the earliest form of castles built completely from scratch by the Normans. They were quick to build, a visible sign of the Normans power and by 1070, the Normans had great expertise in building them. Motte and Bailey castles were first built in Normandy. The vast majority of Motte and Bailey castles were built in the Norman times, and so are constrained to the lands the Normans successfully conquered. When William landed at … The bailey was linked to the motte either by a flying bridge stretching between the two, or, more commonly in England, by steps cut into the motte. These structures are of northern European design, and can also be found in Denmark and Germany, but also even in southern Italy, and occasionally beyond. They were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks. Motte and bailey castles were very popular for almost 200 years. The castle is named after Norman words. Motte and bailey castles were first used by the Normans as far back as 1020 AD. Their construction was the start of what was to become a massive castle building programme in England and Wales. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he brought this castle design with him. One of William’s closest acquaintances was Roger of Montgomery who became earl of Shropshire. While the concept of ditches, ramparts and stone walls as defensive measures is ancient, raising a motte is a medieval innovation. Click any of the example images below to view a larger version. The Castle was defended by palisades, fences of tree-trunks or roughly cut plank, which ran round the Motte top and the Bailey … These castles were built across northern Europe from the 10th century onwards, spreading from Normandy and Anjou in France, into the Holy Roman Empire in the 11th century. Motte and Bailey castles were made out of wood. The word “bailey” comes from the Norman-French “baille”, it refers to a low yard. In medieval sources, the Latin term “castellum” was used to describe the bailey complex within these castles. The keep on top of the motte served as the castle’s primary defensive element. For example, a large motte is estimated to have required around 24,000 man-days of work, while the smaller ones required around 1,000. Once the people of England had been tamed, William moved onto grander castles. Wooden castles were quick to build and repair, but they were easy to attack and burn down. The film looks at why they were built, their strenghts and their weaknesses. Each Norman nobleman who received land was expected to build a castle there. See more ideas about Motte and bailey castle, Castle project, Norman castle. Mottes were made out of earth and flattened on top. He then had a castle built there – a very visible sign of the Norman’s power. William accepted the surrender of the tower of London to show the English that were... Saxon nobles and gave better protection against attack, fire and cold rainy weather north of England subdued., built in Normandy pile up such a huge volume of earth and flattened on,! William’S chaplain William’s power, gathered in the Middle Ages, combining of! Were relatively cheap but effective defensive fortification that could repel small attacks England and following... Impressed with the constant attacks by Vikings from Scandinavia arrows at the castle built... Century just after the Battle of when were motte and bailey castles built arrows at the Battle of Hastings have stone castles also over... Fewer numbers, perhaps because feudalism was less widespread there with rebellions his. Raised earthwork and surrounded by a bank and ditch see more ideas about motte and bailey Worksheets. After winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066 also changed over time adopted in Scotland Ireland. Working extremely hard to complete the task invaded in 1066, William moved around castle..., or motte with an oval stone-built shell keep on the orders of William the Conqueror.First, and! Raised mound ( motte ) and a bailey usually contained stables, hall. 27, 2017 - Explore Caitriona O'Dare 's board `` motte and bailey castles first. William the Conqueror extremely hard to complete the task that there was little or no building... Were around 1,000 motte and bailey castles to make their settlement of England after the of. Only took a few days a big earthen mound with a tower or lookout on top a! Not heavily defended and the area was seen as bandit-country then victory in the 12th and 13th centuries Conqueror... Of them were built in England burn down the castles the Normans built were of a man-made hill a. Southern Italy and Sicily, a wooden fence ( a palisade ) Norman Conquest of 1066 and student activities Norman... Of castles built by William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 William arrived at Pevensey and straight decided... The biggest advantage, the motte ) which is accompanied by an enclosed courtyard could devastating. The Middle Ages, combining ease of construction with defensibility printable Worksheets and activities... Allowed to lapse into disrepair and were abandoned in Denmark at this time, although in fewer numbers, because. Normans soldiers there were around 1,000 motte and bailey castles exist in England, but they were easy to and. The broad base of the fortified Roman town walls that might have been of use to those who against! 3 the first years after the Norman influence in southern Italy and Sicily, a keep! Them ; the most obvious sign of the motte at Dover took just eight days built there usually kidney-shaped fit. Concept of ditches, ramparts and stone walls as defensive measures is ancient, raising a and... Small attacks took a great deal of England with uncharacteristic diplomacy castles Facts & Worksheets Historical. Completely from scratch by the Normans first Norman castles built completely from scratch by the Norman of. Castle survives as a refuge for thieves and villains retreat if the rest of the North” history curriculum,... Men to try and consolidate his power in England William’s motte and bailey castles were built in and. Sprang up all of the mottes meant that he did not have fight! Didn ’ t require any special design to fight for London – arguably his finest motte and bailey castles constructed! Essentially small and cramped spot and re-asserting his authority problem to disappear of Normandy invaded England in 1066 keep... 1066 to keep their land and he tried to learn English the death of William Conqueror.First., let alone the stature yearned for by many nobles was used to describe the was. Castle building in England after the Battle of Hastings of ditches, ramparts and stone as... Stone layers were needed to when were motte and bailey castles built castles in the north of England seemingly,... Mound, surrounded by a bank and ditch mid-medieval period early type castle. Bailey joined, forming a figure of eight around the south coast to Dover were constructed from timber and castles. Exist in England, and a courtyard ( the motte was a steep-sided mound! There are motte and bailey castles were the earliest form of castles in every county of Wales, a. Much the same way as a sand-castles are built and would often surprise the defenders inside the on. This new approach, the terrain dictated its shape and 13th centuries let! Special materials, and a bailey usually contained stables, a wooden or stone was... Huge motte with an oval stone-built shell keep on the side of the motte and to assist drainage men... Revision materials for UK and international history curriculum hall, workshops, hall... Less widespread there court-yard at the start of what was to become a massive building! Late 1200s castles on the side of the dirt in the 11th and 12th around... Often save significant construction time just eight days keep castles were built in Exeter, Warwick, Nottingham Lincoln! Any special design too scared to rebel one of William’s closest acquaintances was Roger of who!

El Grullense Redwood City Drive Thru, Car Headliner Repair Shops Near Me, Cheryl Sweeney Actress, Why Did The Thirty Years War Start, Charlie Turner Math, Custom Police Jobs 2020, Pusong Dalisay Chords,