Part 4/10:

Designing the Ideal Castle: Location and Structure

The location of a castle was paramount. Ideally, it should dominate the landscape, offering extensive views and strategic vantage points. Hills and steep slopes proved advantageous in repelling invaders, while accessible local resources such as stone, wood, soil, and water were essential for both construction and sustainability.

A reliable and easily defendable design was the motte-and-bailey castle, favored by the Normans. The motte, an elevated earthwork, would hold living quarters for the lord and serve as a last defense in times of attack. Surrounding the motte, the bailey was enclosed by an earthen ditch and palisade, safeguarding crucial structures like stables and a kitchen.