The ‘Motte’ could be surrounded with a ditch, and buildings could be placed on the bailey – made of timber or, if time permitted, stone. The first castles, built in the Early Middle Ages (early Medieval period), were ‘earthworks’ – mounds of earth primarily built for defence, as enemies struggled to climb them.ĭuring the 1000s, the Normans developed these into Motte and Bailey castle designs.Įffectively, a ‘Motte’ was a large mound of earth, and a ‘Bailey’ was the flattened area beside the mound. Early Medieval Times From Norman Times: Motte & Bailey Castles – Simple Designs that were Quick to Build Motte & Bailey (Wiston Castle, Wales) (Credit: Jayne) Fundamentally, these changing designs were due to the changes in the purpose and significance of castles. This page gives a brief overview of the history of castles, and explains why different castle designs came about. Nowadays, castles are designed for prestige, for fantasy, and to embellish a romantic view of the life of kings, queens and nobles from years gone by. The first castles were simply ‘mounds’ of earth, and medieval castle designs improved on these basics – adding ditches in the Motte & Bailey design.Īs technology advanced – and as attackers got more sophisticated – elaborate concentric castle designs emerged, creating a fortress almost impregnable to its enemies.

Medieval castles