Motte & Bailey Castles (AQA GCSE History)

Summary

There had been fortifications in England before the Normans arrived in the form of burhs. These aimed to protect entire communities from attacks and were fortified towns. When the Normans arrived in 1066, they started a castle-building program with a different purpose. Their wood and earth motte and bailey castles were quickly constructed and served as bases from which soldiers could launch attacks and establish control of an area. They also served as symbols of authority to show that the Normans were in charge.

Why did William build castles?

• The new Norman masters were not welcomed by the Anglo-Saxons and Norman soldiers were often attacked

  • As a result, they built castles to protect them wherever they went

  • This included Pevensey Bay where they first landed after crossing the English Channel before the Battle of Hastings

• Unlike the Anglo-Saxon burhs that had been built to protect whole communities from attack, Norman castles were designed to house and protect soldiers

  • They were a key part of William’s strategy to suppress rebellions and he set about building an enormous network of them

Features of a Motte & Bailey castle

Why were castles important to William the Conquerer?

• Castles were important to William for several reasons as they: 

  • served as bases from which soldiers could launch attacks against rebellious locals

  • defended his troops from attack

  • enabled the Normans to monitor the Anglo-Saxon population

  • were constructed in key strategic positions to establish control over important towns, bridges and roads

• Castles were also symbolically important for William

  • They were imposing structures that dominated an area because the main fort was on a raised mound (motte)

  • Anglo-Saxon houses were often destroyed to make way for castles

  • Slave labour from the local populations was used to construct them which showed William’s control over the people

  • They provided intimidating physical evidence that the Normans were now in control