answersLogoWhite

0

The very 1st castles built were called "Mote and Bailey" structions. These were very simple and somewhat primitive buildings compared to the massive stone castles we see today. None survive today as they were originally built of wood which quickly rots away.

However, the concept of the mote and bailey was used to build many of the castles we know today. The "mote" was a simple tower built on top of hill of packed earth. Surrounding this structure was the "bailey" which was an open courtyard surrounded by a high wooden fence of pallisade.

The tops of the wooden stakes that make up the pallisade would often be sharpened into a point to make climbing over them hazardous. Sometimes a dry or wet moat might also be built around the entire structure.

Entrance into the mote and bailey was by either a single gate or drawbridge.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?