Castle Terminology: Motte

The motte was a type of castle using an artificial mound to hold a defensible structure or keep on it's summit. Generally, a wide, circular ditch was dug and the earth and stone from the digging thrown up into the middle, in successive, reinforced levels in order to create the mound. Sometimes a natural hill or summit was used. Most of the motte and bailey castles of Wales have long since disappeared, however, the original motte castle at (1) Wiston still retains it's early form. Other examples of classic mottes include (2) St Clears Castle, and (3) Hen Domen Castle.   Return to the Glossary of Castle Terms

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