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Motte and bailey castles were really a range of different styles of earth and timber castles, some with a single motte (mound) and a single bailey, others with two baileys and others with two mottes.

The advantage of this type of fortification is that it was extremely quick and cheap to build using the local peasantry as forced labour, with local timber used in the construction. Such castles were only as strong as their outer defences - if the ditch was deep and wide and the bank high and steep, with a strong palisade along the top, a small force could defend itself for some time.

The most vulnerable part of any castle is the gate or gates; some motte and bailey castles had a wooden bridge approaching the gateway that could be destroyed before an enemy arrived, or a simple drawbridge outside the wooden doors.

Wooden fences around wooden buildings can always be destroyed by fire and fire arrows were often used against this type of defensive structure. The defenders could respond by hanging wet hides over the palisade and buildings and having plenty of water available to fight fires.

Eventually, the attackers would fill in the ditch outside the gate and could then bring up a battering ram under a protective penthouse on wheels. As soon as the gateway was breached the defenders could only retreat to the tower (donjon) on top of the motte; this was usually the strongest feature and impossible to attack, but here they were effectively trapped and would eventually have to surrender or starve.

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Berta Yundt

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2y ago

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Related Questions

What are the weaknesses and strenghts on a mott and bailey castle?

A mott and bailey castle's strengths include its quick construction, effective defense due to the elevated motte, and the ability to accommodate a large number of people and resources within the bailey. However, its weaknesses lie in its vulnerability to siege tactics, such as undermining the motte or setting fire to the wooden structures, and the potential for attackers to easily breach the bailey if the motte is compromised. Additionally, the reliance on timber for construction can lead to decay over time.


When was the and bailey castle invented?

the Mott and bailey castle started in the year 1066.


Is Pow is castle a Mott and bailey stone keep or concentric castle?

Concentric


Why did the mott and bailey castle change?

The Mott and Bailey Castles were change because over time they realised that there were to many disadvantages and easy to attak.


Is A Mott and Bailey castle stronger than a stone castle?

Yes as a stone castle does not rot, burn, or can be attacked manually


What time was the Mott and Bailey castle?

Around 1066, after William won the Battle of Hastings


What is a mott?

A Motte is the part of a Motte and Bailey castle is the part on the hill consists of the keep.


Why are they called mott and bailey keep castles?

they where called a motte because of the hill and in the ... they called it a motte and then the bailey is where the farmers and the animals and bla bla bla and together they make a motte and bailey castle.


How Build a mott and bailey castle?

Classic Motte & Bailey castle has a surrounding circular wall (and outside the optional moat, or "motte"), and inside will normally be a hillock, and atop the hillock will be the keep (or "bailey"). Most Motte & Bailey castles are of stone construction, erected during the Norman conquest.


When where motte and bailey castles invented?

The Normans were the first to build motte and bailey castles. Their first castle built was at Mont Glonme on the river Loire in France, 990.


Did the Normans invent Mott and Bailey Castles?

yes they did.


Who invented motte and bailey castls?

the first person to build a Mott and bailey was William the conqueror