William the Conqueror built many Motte and Bailey castles to show
the power of the Normans. These were usually built in areas
that had rebelled against him. The Motte and Bailey was an
excellent castle to begin the conquest of England because it was so
quick to build.
This
diagram clearly shows the main disadvantage with the Mottle and
Bailey castle though - it was made of wood. Anyone who
wanted to attack the castle could simply set it alight.
Very
soon, castles were replaced with more permanent materials - stone
was used and castle designs improved. This lesson will help
you understand how methods to attack castles also developed!
