Motte And Bailey Castle Flashcards
What was a Bailey
An enclosed area usually on a smaller mound of earth then the keep. Soldiers and animals lived here
What was the Motte
A small hill made by digging a large circular ditch and throwing the earth into the centre
What is the palisade
A defensive barrier made of wood surrounding the Bailey
Wooden bridge
Connected the keep to the Bailey. Defender slashed it if they had to retreat to the keep
What’s a moat
this is the name given to the deep ditch surrounding the whole castle. Sometimes it would be filled with water to make it harder for the attackers to reach the castle
3 Strengths
It was built on a hill for good lookout
Wood castles are quick,cheap and easy to build
Surrounded by a moat harder for attackers to reach the castle
3 weaknesses
Wood easily catches on fire
The water from the moat could ruin the foundation
The wooden bridge could snap
