* Motte-and-bailey castles: These were the earliest type of castles, consisting of a raised mound (motte) with a wooden tower on top, surrounded by a ditch and palisade (bailey).
* Ringwork castles: These castles were similar to motte-and-bailey castles, but the motte was surrounded by a circular ditch and bank instead of a bailey.
High medieval castles (12th-13th centuries)
* Stone keep castles: These castles had a tall, circular or square keep, usually made of stone, as the central defensive structure.
* Concentric castles: These castles had multiple rings of walls and towers around a central keep.
* Water castles: These castles were built on islands or surrounded by water for added defense.
Late medieval castles (14th-15th centuries)
* Fortified manor houses: These castles were built by wealthy landowners and included luxurious living quarters as well as defensive features.
* Gunpowder castles: These castles were designed to withstand the new threat of gunpowder artillery. They had thicker walls and lower profiles than earlier castles.
