[…] Current research leads us, to think that without the instrument represented by the motte and bailey castle, the final appropriation of the droit de ban by the king’s officers or the usurpation of this power by the wealthiest landowners would never have taken place. These military works they had learned from our men in the intercourse of former years, and, having taken some of our army prisoners, were instructed by them: but, as they had no supply of iron tools which are requisite for this service, they were forced to cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks, from which circumstance, the vast number of the men could be inferred; for in less than three hours they completed a fortification of ten miles in circumference; and during the rest of the days they began to prepare and construct towers of the height of the ramparts, and grappling irons, and mantelets, which the same prisoners had taught them. This recipe was simple enough and castles were important enough that medieval rulers would have their their soldiers (and subjects), to quote Caesar, “cut the turf with their swords, and to empty out the earth with their hands and cloaks.” The initial simplicity of motte-and-baileys allowed armies to brute force security.
Author: areoform
Published at: 2025-12-11 21:35:52
Still want to read the full version? Full article
