Life & people

Who lived and worked in a motte-and-bailey castle

Lords and their families, knights and soldiers, horses, workers, and the townspeople around them.

Who lived there

These castles housed Norman nobles and their families, as well as knights and soldiers. English Heritage: Castles Through Time The tower was mainly a watchtower, a firing post and a last refuge in an attack. In quieter times, nobles lived in a timber hall nearby. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight

English Heritage says the tower would have been decidedly uncomfortable to live in. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight A castle needed a whole group of people, including constables, masons, blacksmiths and servants. The National Archives: Medieval castles (education)

Most castles were granted by the king to loyal lords along with large areas of land, which the lords then ran for him. The National Archives: Medieval castles (education) William the Conqueror gave border lands to followers who became powerful marcher lords. English Heritage: History of Clun Castle

William the Conqueror gave Judhael of Brittany a large estate in Devon, and Judhael founded the castle at Totnes. English Heritage: History of Totnes Castle Count Brian of Brittany set up a castle at Launceston around 1068. English Heritage: History of Launceston Castle

The bailey was the working part of the castle. The Normans were a cavalry army, so secure stabling inside its defences was essential. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight Buildings in the bailey included houses, stables, workshops and storehouses. Britannica Kids (Students): Castle

At Totnes the main buildings, such as the hall, chambers, chapel and kitchens, were in the bailey. English Heritage: History of Totnes Castle

Once the Normans were in control, castles also became centres for local government, running the area, and justice. The National Archives: Medieval castles (education) English Heritage says it was presumably where rents were paid to the lord, and offenders were tried and locked up. English Heritage: History of Totnes Castle

In the 1090s the local market moved into the castle’s outer bailey. English Heritage: History of Launceston Castle

At Old Sarum in 1086, William the Conqueror summoned all the major landowners to swear an oath of loyalty to him. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight

Castles were often placed inside an existing Saxon settlement, and local people’s homes were destroyed to make room. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight They were quick to build, and could be put up by unskilled forced labourers using basic materials. English Heritage blog: How to spot a castle hiding in plain sight