Norman Castles

After the invasion and conquer of England in 1066, the Normans quickly erected wooden, motte-and-bailey castles to establish their rule. By 1100, these were being replaced by much sturdier stone fortifications.

The typical Norman castle was surrounded by a curtain wall, made of stone, which itself was enclosed by a moat. These curtain walls were constructed to be thicker at the base, where they would need to withstand the force of battering rams. The heavier the base stones, the less of a chance that attackers could remove them and collapse the wall.

The castle's entrance was protected by drawbridge and stone gatehouse. A heavy iron grill called a portcullis could be dropped into place across the gate from above. Towers were placed at intervals along the wall, from which defenses could be mounted.

The area inside the curtain wall, was often divided by another stone wall, to form an inner and outer bailey. The outer bailey provided space for barns, work-buildings and gardens. Storehouses, kitchen buildings and often a chapel occupied the inner bailey, along with the keep.

Also known as a donjon, the keep was a massive square tower of stone, reached through stairs and a forebuilding, which served a similar function to the gatehouse around the outer castle entrance. Lower levels would be used for storage and troop's quarters. Upper floors were reserved for the lord's quarters and those of his family, court and guests. A great hall for feasts and business, as well as the lord's solar, which functioned as his private office/study, were found on the upper floors of the keep as well. Garderobes were cut into the stone walls of the keep as well, which were basically latrines that emptied to the moat.