The present site at Middleham encompasses the remains of a eleventh century motte and baily and a fifteenth century baronial castle. Why did the early style castle develop into that which stood there by 1480?

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The present site at Middleham encompasses the remains of a eleventh century motte and baily and a fifteenth century baronial castle. Why did the early style castle develop into that which stood there by 1480?

By Carl S Richardson

The early style castle developed into that, that stood in 1480 because of multiple reasons but the main reason is that the castle needed to become stronger, if it was ever to be needed in a battle or war.

Middleham started off as a motte and baily (to the left), basically meaning mound and middle. The motte was usually an artificial hill with the keep placed on top of it. The baily was a smaller hill with everyday buildings on it, mainly though residential buildings. After the Norman Conquest in 1066 a string of Motte and bailys were constructed to keep a eye on certain areas so rebellions against William duke of Normandy were known before they struck, also the castles were quick and cheap to build and since there was more Normans then Britons, this was a good think, Middleham was one of these and this was its first purpose. Alan the red was in charge of Middleham as he was rewarded it after the battle of Hastings in 1066. The castle was then passed down through Alan’s family.

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In 1170 Middleham passed to Robert Fits Randelf, who in 1170 converted Middleham into a square keep (to the left), which is a large stone thick keep more impregnable then a motte and baily. In the dark (500 A.D to 1000A.D) and middle (500 A.D to 1400 A.D) ages infinite war was taking place and getting worse so stronger bigger castles were needed to stand up to new siege weaponry. The first castle was built to the west of the square keep on a hill. This castle would of being better defensively if it was on the hill, put ...

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