When was the first Medieval Motte and Bailey Castle built?
The first Medieval Motte and Bailey Castle was built at Mont Glonme on the River Loire in France in 990 – so the Normans were used to using the castle to dominate their tenants under the feudal system. The Normans also brought feudalism to England. Prior to the Norman invasion in 1066 led by William the Conqueror there were hardly any castles in England and the ones that did exist were built by Norman lords who were friends of King Edward the Confessor.Medieval Motte and Bailey Castle – first built in timber and then in Stone The earliest Motte and Bailey castles were simply a wooden blockhouse placed on a mound and surrounded by a stockade hence the term of Motte and Bailey castles. The rapid construction of the Motte and Bailey castles enabled the Normans to control and subjugate the conquered English. Norman soldiers manned the Motte and Bailey castles and were able to take on any attackers. The wooden Norman Castle was also used to safely store supplies and equipment together with
