Motte-and-bailey Essays

  • Castle Development In The Middle Ages

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    England. The word “Castle” in Latin (castellum) means “fortified place”. Motte and Bailey Castles Motte and Bailey castles were the first known castles to be built. The construction of these castles would create a trend that lasts until 1550 CE . Motte and Bailey castles were first built by the French to defend their land against Scandinavian invaders (Vikings). They were very simple, wooden towers built on a mound (Motte). These mounds were often man-made with a wooden fence (palisade) built around

  • Whittington Castle

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    fortune. After residing in London for a time, Dick Whittington went on to be "thrice Lord Mayor of London". That piece of history supposedly occurred in 1368, but the first construction of Whittington Castle was in 845 and modeled after the Norman Motte and Bailey castles of the time. Entirely, my information on Whittington Castle came from Internet sources. Because of the unfortunate ruination of ancient castle, it is almost forgotten today. Except for several small web sites, I found little or no

  • Exploring the Changing Role of Castles Between Norman and Tudor Times

    1076 Words  | 3 Pages

    first type of castle he built was known as a Motte and Bailey castle, which he could erect quickly. In fact it only took only 17 days to build the first! These consisted of a huge, flat-topped mound of earth (Motte) surmounted with a tall wooden tower, with an irregularly shaped enclosure (Bailey) at on side of the tower (or in some cases surrounding it), the whole encircled by a deep ditch. The top of the motte and the perimeter of the bailey were enclosed by timber palisading. The first

  • British Castles

    1521 Words  | 4 Pages

    and events in history. Motte and bailey castles were the first castles built in Great Britain (McCulloch). These particular castles were brought to England by the Normans and used to oversee the native population (Motte). The design of the motte and bailey castle was simple and consisted of only earth and wood (McCulloch). The motte portion of the castle would be raised off of the ground with a wooden tower built atop where the lord would be stationed (McCulloch). The bailey part of the castle was

  • Castle Development during the Middle Ages

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    castles by boat and initiated the motte and bailey style of castle as they moved through England. Unlink stone castles, which could take years to build, these rapidly built, wooden castles created a quick network across large distances. The primary use for all castles, in general, is defense. They were often built on hills, cliffs, islands, swamps, etc. to limit the probability of a siege or uprising, and motte and bailey castles were no different. The motte and bailey castles were first used to protect

  • The Origin of Norwich Castle

    1064 Words  | 3 Pages

    advanced structure, a symbol of military power, and a symbol of political control that was founded by the Normans. Norwich Castle, a royal fortification was founded by William the Conqueror between 1066 and 1075. It took the appearance of a motte and bailey. The year 1067, William the Conqueror embarked on a campaign to surmount East Anglia, and according to military historian R. Allen Brown it was most likely around this instance that Norwich Castle was founded. The castle is first mentioned

  • Medieval Castle Research Paper

    2451 Words  | 5 Pages

    Castles were a major step in the development of the medieval days from earlier times to later times. They had many different ways that they played their part. They also had many different ways that they were built, depending on the time frame they were made in. With castles came many laws that had to be followed. Laws back then were very different from laws that were made today. Castles didn't just start from the middle of thin air Straw houses were one of the most popular houses that were made

  • Castle Defense Architecture

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    walls, towers, and gateways all amalgamated to protect the inside of the castle and protect the castle’s weakest points. Before the castle could even be constructed, they first had to find the right spot to build. Most castles were constructed on a motte, a natural area that would already provide additional defense. If no natural defense was present, such as cliffs, mountains or even trees, then men would work to build up the ground

  • Improvement in English Castle Strength between 1066 and 1300

    1866 Words  | 4 Pages

    were ideal in conquest conditions. During the 12th and 13th century the most dramatic change was from wood to stone. The first castles were wooden motte and bailey castles, and then stronger stone castles developed. In three definitive styles, rectangle keeps, shell keeps and circular keeps. There were only 100 pre built timber castles with motte and bailey structures before 1066 . Then castles took over the British Isles quickly as it is thought that as many as 1000 castles of this type were built

  • Castles

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    castle, the motte and bailey. The Motte and Bailey Castles started out simple, normally just wooden buildings, which relied on natural defenses such as rivers or hills to prevent attacks. Oft times rivers were even diverted to add extra protection, and as a steady water supply in the event of a siege. But always somebody had to do better; soon they were adding mounds, banks ditches, and whatever else would trip up invaders. Earthworks, as they were called, could be mounds, also called mottes, or hollow

  • Castles: The Importance Of Castle During The Middle Ages

    1418 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the middle ages the castle was a very prominent structure. Castles were used as towns but primarily as fortresses. They were very defensive buildings and there were hundreds of them across Europe. Many castles fell and many have stood through time. The castle was an important and very influential part of Medieval Europe’s culture and protection. The first castles built in England were constructed by the Normans during their in invasion in 1066. The only castles built in England before the

  • British Castles

    2407 Words  | 5 Pages

    One of the styles is a motte and bailey, which was one of the first types of castles built. The castle was made of a motte, which was a large man-made mound of earth. The top of the mound was surrounded by wooden palisades, which were like logs. Within those logs was a wooden keep. This was used as a lookout tower and a last refuge or keep (Farndon 7). The only way to get into the motte was across a sloping bridge, placed on high pillars. The bailey was next to the motte, and wooden palisades also

  • How Have Castles Evolve Over Time?

    1476 Words  | 3 Pages

    How have castles evolved over time? Did castles across the world during medieval times look the same and were they used for similar ideas? Castles have a surprisingly long history and some of the earliest castles date back to around 6500 B.C.E. Of course, the castles built in the 500-1500 C.E look much different and have many more technological advances since ideas have come and gone since the early castle times. Castles were adapted all over Europe and can be found from England to Latvia. Ireland

  • Medieval Social System

    1807 Words  | 4 Pages

    Medieval Europe was one of the most popular era’s. The medieval period was very unique; they had different ways of fulfilling errands compared to modern day techniques. Their social hierarchy, lifestyle, health, castles and weapons were all very exclusive to Medieval Europe. We also can’t forget one of the most important events in medieval history; The Black Plague. FEUDAL SYSTEM: There was a very distinctive social hierarchy during the medieval period. The person who could control what everyone

  • The Influence Of Castles On The Middle Ages

    508 Words  | 2 Pages

    to the king or ruler and fought for the kingdom. Castles had a significant effect on on the Middles Ages and on the wars and crusades that took place during the war period. The first castle was introduced in 1066 CE, the particular castle, Motte and Bailey, was the first castle introduced to the Middle Ages and was brought to the world by the Normans, as it says in the website, primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk. These incredible buildings were home to many people ruled by the lord. According to the website

  • Medieval Castle Research Paper

    1453 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Brenda Ralph, “The earliest defenses comprised huge earthworks, timber-built, or motte and bailey castles” (Ralph, 2). One of the main roles castles played in medieval society was being used in case of attacks. “Castles were primarily used for defense”(IAC Publishing, Web). They were carefully designed to make it as difficult as possible

  • Medieval England

    508 Words  | 2 Pages

    Medieval England In Medieval England life wasn’t exactly what you would call easy, people got it hard especially the non-wealthy. The wealthy had it easier than the poor because they never had to do work, they had slaves to do all their work for them. Because the poorer people had to do work, it made them more exposed to all the diseases which is why so many of them died. The People of Medieval England lived in houses which had no ventilation and straw roofs. They were extremely un-hygienic

  • Importance Of Medieval Architecture

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first castles built (Motte and Bailey) were made of wood and quick to build, but they were burnt and worn down easily, so the next castles were made of stone. (Square keeps) They were tall, strong, large and lasted long, but attackers would surround the castle and wait for ages for

  • Crusader Castles: A Medieval Culmination

    3338 Words  | 7 Pages

    meters1, making it one of the largest enclosure castles, it also encloses two further walls, the first of which has only one tower because of its close proximity to the outer wall, the inner wall is built with flanking towers to support the middle bailey.

  • The History And History Of The Tower Of London

    1330 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Tower of London Founded nearly a millennium ago, The Tower of London has traveled through tough British history starting with the ruler, William the Conqueror, “at the beginning of the 11th century,” (Tower of London). Being expanded by different kings and queens, the tower’s structure has been added to many times, from its start as just a temporary wooden building. Why was the Tower of London so important? It enforced the power of kings and queens, from the time after William the Conqueror’s