[MC]
A widespread type of early medieval military strong-hold comprising an artificially constructed earthen motte, surrounded by a ditch, with an adjoining separately defined enclosure known as a bailey. The basic idea seems to have developed in the Rhineland during the 10th century ad and was adopted by the Normans a century later during their conquests of England, Wales, Ireland, and elsewhere. Motte and bailey castles were built for offensive operations as well as for defence, and are found in urban areas and rural settings. Motte and bailey castles were superseded by other kinds of defensive work in the 12th century ad, but some were made permanent by the replacement of wooden components with stone structures, as at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England.
