Parts of a Medieval Castle – The Moat
The Role of a Moat in Buildings in the Middle Ages
May 25, 2009
For most of the Middle Ages, the moat was an important part of a castle’s defences. However, towards the end of the period, when castles were becoming more of a home and less of a fortification, a moat became more of a decorative and symbolic feature.
What Was the Purpose of a Moat in a Medieval Castle?
A moat was a ditch, usually filled with water, which surrounded a castle or other fortified building. It was intended to make attacking the castle much more difficult, because it was hard for attackers to climb the castle walls having waded or swum across the water and it also meant that access to the building could be restricted to just one entrance, which could be heavily guarded. Anyone who attempted to swim across the water was highly vulnerable to attackers from above, on the battlements, or at the windows of the castle.
When building a castle, the planners would ensure that the building would be near to supplies of fresh water, which were needed by all households and some of this supply would be dammed to provide water to fill the moat. The moat could be made even more perilous with the addition on wooden stakes, to further hamper any would-be attackers.
Some moats did not go right round the castle, but used other natural resources, such as a steep bank, river or forest as part of the defence.
The Origins of the Castle Moat
The word ‘moat’ is believed to derive from ‘motte’, a French word for hill. Norman castles were originally built on hills, for the purposes of defence and a ditch was dug at the base of the hill, to aid with defence. This ditch was later filled with water, creating the moat which came to be so popular in castle building.
Using water meant that it was more difficult for attackers to use the different types of siege weapons which were being developed all the time.
The Moat and Drawbridge
The most common way to cross a moat was by using the drawbridge, which was an ideal way for the castle’s occupants to control access into the building. The doorway was closed with a wooden door, which was lowered down by ropes or chains.
Despite the deterrent of a moat and drawbridge, attackers could still try to cross into a castle. Methods of attempted entry included using makeshift bridges and ladders to cross the water.
Source:
Kaufmann J, Jurga, Robert The Medieval Fortresses: Castles, Forts and Walled Cities of the Middle Ages[Da Capo Press, 2004]
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