Castle Motte and Bailey
Castle Motte and Bailey structures started been erected all over Europe primarily starting in England, Ireland and France around the 10th & 11th Centuries. Castle Motte and Bailey constructions consisted of a simple layout. Firstly there was the Motte which was an artificial hill raised to about an average of 5m above ground level on top of which a wooden or stone structure known as a "keep" would be built. A ditch surrounding the Motte would be formed due to the earth dug up to build it. In most cases there was a need for a retractable Draw Bridge to connect the Motte to the Bailey across this ditch. This can be seen as a last measure of protection against any invaders.
Next the Bailey was the larger area mainly occupied by workers serving the Lord of the Castle, workers could consist anywhere from Servants to Blacksmiths. The Bailey its would have been surrounded by a wooden or stone wall known as palisade which would be overlooked by the Motte. The entire area could again be surrounded by a ditch with a retractable Draw Bridge connecting to the outside area. This again was the first lair of protection against intruders.
