Wanderlust World Wanderlust World There is no fixed number of windows in a motte-and-bailey castle. The quantity and placement of openings varied widely depending on the size, design, and defensive needs of each fortification. These early medieval castles were typically modest in scale, centered around a wooden keep (the motte) perched atop an artificial earthen mound, with an enclosed courtyard (the bailey) surrounded by a palisade.
The motte’s tower usually featured only a few small windows—often little more than arrow slits—to limit vulnerability. The bailey, by contrast, could contain a variety of window types set into the walls, gatehouses, and any timber towers that lined the perimeter. Because these structures were built primarily of wood and earth, few original windows survive; our understanding comes from archaeological evidence and historical records.