| Early Norman castles were motte and bailey castles - made of wood.
A wooden keep was built on top of the motte (or mound). Drawbridges
were built across the moat. The bailey was surrounded by a wooden
stockade. |
|
| Gradually the square keeps were constructed out of stone. Unfortunately
the corners of the keep were vulnerable to undermining (sapping). |
|
| So then the walls of the tower became round. Round walls were
stronger and much more difficult to attack. |
|
| Curtain walls were built to surround the keep and bailey. |
|
| Gatehouses were built either side of the main entrance to give
additional protection. |
|
| In its most sophisticated form the concentric castle
had several sets of curtain walls - each one higher than the previous
one - round towers at the corners and double towers making a barbican
at the gateway. |
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