An earthwork mound on which a castle was built. (Gies, Joseph and Francis. Life in a Medieval Castle, 226) Mound of earth supporting a tower and palisade. (Kenyon, John R. Medieval Fortifications, 211) Related terms: Castle
York, England (GillB) An artificial conical earth mound with a flat top which was reached by a sloping or stepped timber bridge. On top of this would be the keep. A wide circular ditch would be dug, and the earth and stone put in the middle to create the mound. The height varied from 10 feet to 100 feet and the base diameter from 100 to 300 feet. The slopes were covered with an outer layer of clay to prevent uneven settlement and slippage.
A mound on which a small castle might be built ( OED). The usage is puzzling. It might indicate a subtlety depicting a siege in miniature; or it might merely signify food in the form of a mound ('lump'). See also 'mangonel'.
The mound on which a tower was built as part of a motte-and-bailey castle.
The central defensive mound of an early Norman castle.
An artificial steep-sided earthen mound on, or in, which is set the principal tower of the castle. RCHME. The motte on which Clifford's Tower stands dates from the 11th century. more
An artificial round mound on which in the original Norman castles a wooden (later, stone) Keep tower was constructed. Outside of this was an embanked Bailey containing the Great Hall, stables, chapel, kitchen, etc. These were easily and cheaply constructed (they conscripted the local peasants to do the digging) by the Normans to subdue the native populace after the Conquest.
A mound of earth on which a tower was built; artificial conical earth mound (sometimes an old barrow) for the keep
large mound upon which a keep is situated
a steep sided mound surmounted by a keep or other defendable structure which formed the central feature of early castles.
An earthwork mound topped with a tower or shell keep.
an artificial mound of earth fortified as a castle; in earlier times sometimes with timber stockade, usually later with stone tower or keep
A man-made mound on which fortifications were built. The surrounding area could be better observed and the fortification became more difficult to attack.
A circular mound, flat on top, which the Normans used as a fortification.
An artificial earth-mound for keeps of eleventh- and twelfth-century castles.
A large earth mound either natural or artificial on which a castle is built
French, for a mound. It usually refers to an artificially constructed mound of earth, which leaves the ditch from which the earth was cast up as the fosse around it, and atop the motte stands the donjon.
Motte Man-made or natural mound on which a keep or donjon was built
An artificial mound of earth which forms the foundation of an eleventh- or twelfth-century castle. Usually round and flat topped with a tower or other stronghold built on top. Formed as the strongest point of the castle.
Motte and Bailey castles were introduced to England, then Scotland, by William the conquerer after the battle of Hastings. The small section from the Bayeaux tapestry shows the construction of Hastings castle, the first in Britain. The Motte is the raised mound of earth upon which the tower or keep was built and where the lord would live. The Bailey is a defensive fenced area linked to the motte where the soldiers would live. The motte is shown in Blue in the illustration.
