History Motte And Bailey

Motte-and-bailey
[pic]

The wooden palisades surmounting mottes were often later replaced in stone, as in this example at Gisors.
EncastellationMotte-and-bailey
The motte-and-bailey is aplan common to many early castles. An essential feature of this type was a circular mound of earth surrounded by a dry ditch and flattened at the top. Around the crest of its summit was placeda timber palisade, a tower, possibly residential.[1] This moated mound was styled in Old French motte (Latin mota), a word still common in French place-names. In addition to the mound, a baileyor basse court of horseshoe shape was usually appended to it, so that the mound stood on the line of the enceinte. The latter housed the domestic quarters, stables, stores, a forge and a waterwell. These earthworks were dug from the perimeter area, leaving a defensive ditch.[1] In many cases the motte seems to be a later addition to an already existing wooden settlement, surroundedby a wood palisade. Lewes Castle, built by Gulielmus de Warenne, is an unusual example, as it featured two mottes.[1] Wooden castles were built up until the 12th century.
A description ofthis earlier castle is given in the life of St John, Bishop of Terouanne:
|“ |The rich and the noble of that region being much given to feuds and bloodshed, fortify themselves ... and by|” |
| |these strongholds subdue their equals and oppress their inferiors. They heap up a mound as high as they are able,| |
| |and dig round it as broad a ditch asthey can ... Round the summit of the mound they construct a palisade of | |
| |timber to act as a wall. Inside the palisade they erect a house, or rather a citadel, which looksdown on the | |
| |whole neighbourhood.[3] | |


[edit] Defensive features