William the Conqueror's Motte-and-Bailey Castles

Norman Fortifications Across England, Wales, and Normandy

After 1066, William the Conqueror built a network of motte-and-bailey castles to secure his realms. Key examples:

England

• Tower of London (White Tower)
• Windsor Castle
• Warwick Castle
• Arundel Castle

Wales

• Caernarfon Castle
• Rhuddlan Castle
• Conwy Castle

Normandy (France)

• Falaise Castle (birthplace of William)
• Caen Castle (Château de Caen)
• Cherbourg Castle

These timber-and-earth forts were rapidly deployed, later replaced by stone keeps. They anchored Norman control, administered justice, and projected power across contested landscapes.