Typical Rooms in a Motte-and-Bailey Castle

Motte-and-bailey castles were relatively simple:

• Motte (mound): Topped by a wooden tower—lord's residence and primary defense.
• Bailey (enclosed courtyard): Surrounded by palisade or stone wall; contained stables, workshops, kitchens, storage, barracks.
• Great hall (larger castles): For feasting, courts, gatherings.

Structures were timber and earth; later conversions replaced wood with stone.