Concentric Castles Of The Middle Ages
“A castle was a self contained, fortified household in which several, hundreds, or thousands lived and worked” (Cosman and Jones). Concentric walls enclosed the castle. These castles are known as concentric circle castle. Concentric circle castles have “two or three walls around the keep” (“Concentric Castles”). In between the walls is known as the death hole because the enemy can get trapped. This can result “in death for the attacker” (“Concentric Castles”). Also, the walls served as an obstacle for anyone who tried to attack the castle (“Concentric”).
The earliest castles in the Middle Ages had an outer wall that was surrounded by a moat filled with water. To cross the moat, there were “retractable drawbridges that could be lifted for security” …show more content…
If is was an artificial hill, people would take earth from a ditch. This hill would be covered with clay or wooden supports to strengthen it. On the top of the motte, was the castle.
A bailey is an “enclosed courtyard, typically surrounded by a wooden palisade overlooked by the motte” (“Motte &”). This area are used by vassals. The bailey was usually surrounded by another wooden palisade and ditch. This provided more protection for the castle. This extra protection was connected to the motte by a drawbridge, which could be raised for defense. Sometimes the drawbridge could be at the entrance of the bailey.
The motte and bailey castles “evolved into Norman castles that evolved later into better concentric circle castles” (“Motte &”). Castle changed over time because of the new resources were being discovered and new technology was being developed. For example, the motte and bailey castle is made out of wood. It was high up so soldiers in castle could fire down on attackers (“How Did”). But, the castle could be easily burnt and rotten. So, people started to make them out of stone. The first stone tower was the square keep castle. This type of castle was harder to attack. Later, people started to build shell keep castles. It was a round castle so it was easier to defend because they could see in all directions. But, the disadvantage was that it had a weak entrance. In addition, the motte couldn't hold the stone tower so the motte and bailey castles
The earliest castles in the Middle Ages had an outer wall that was surrounded by a moat filled with water. To cross the moat, there were “retractable drawbridges that could be lifted for security” …show more content…
If is was an artificial hill, people would take earth from a ditch. This hill would be covered with clay or wooden supports to strengthen it. On the top of the motte, was the castle.
A bailey is an “enclosed courtyard, typically surrounded by a wooden palisade overlooked by the motte” (“Motte &”). This area are used by vassals. The bailey was usually surrounded by another wooden palisade and ditch. This provided more protection for the castle. This extra protection was connected to the motte by a drawbridge, which could be raised for defense. Sometimes the drawbridge could be at the entrance of the bailey.
The motte and bailey castles “evolved into Norman castles that evolved later into better concentric circle castles” (“Motte &”). Castle changed over time because of the new resources were being discovered and new technology was being developed. For example, the motte and bailey castle is made out of wood. It was high up so soldiers in castle could fire down on attackers (“How Did”). But, the castle could be easily burnt and rotten. So, people started to make them out of stone. The first stone tower was the square keep castle. This type of castle was harder to attack. Later, people started to build shell keep castles. It was a round castle so it was easier to defend because they could see in all directions. But, the disadvantage was that it had a weak entrance. In addition, the motte couldn't hold the stone tower so the motte and bailey castles