As a development in castle technology, shell keeps held great advantages over motte-and-bailey castles. Stone walls were far stronger, and their circular shapes meant they were better able to absorb blows from advancing siege technology.
Why did Shell keep castles change?
The idea behind a shell keep castle was to replace the wooden outer wall which had previously encircled the castle with a stone wall. However, most often, the wooden palisade surrounding the bailey was also replaced with a stone wall.
What were the disadvantages of the Motte and Bailey castles?
The major weakness of the motte and bailey castle was the likelihood of the keep rotting or burning down. The solution was to build stone keeps but these could not always be built on the same site since the weight of the stone would sink into the motte.
What are the weaknesses of a shell keep castle?
The major disadvantage of a Shell Keep castle came from its main defensive mechanism. It still relied on the motte, and remember that mottes were man-made hills, which meant that they could be unstable. Sitting a large structure on an unstable mound was pretty risky!
What is a shell castle?
A shell keep is a style of medieval fortification, best described as a stone structure circling the top of a motte. In English castle morphology, shell keeps are perceived as the successors to motte-and-bailey castles, with the wooden fence around the top of the motte replaced by a stone wall.
Why were stone keep castles better than Motte and Bailey?
The wooden defences of motte and bailey castles were replaced by walls and towers of stone. Stone is more durable and resistant than wood and so it became the preferred building materials for castles. Stone castles were built taller and gave better protection against attack, fire and cold rainy weather.
What were the advantages and disadvantages of motte and bailey castles write 2 advantages and disadvantages of motte and bailey castles?
Motte and Bailey Castles
| Advantages quick to build protected by the soldiers | Disadvantages made of wood temporary |
| Evaluation A motte and bailey castle was a way that William the Conqueror could control his land that he had just won. This was only temporary solution though so that is why stone castles started to be built |
What are the disadvantages of building a castle on a hill?
Disadvantages to Building a House on a Hill
- Accessibility. Consider accessibility prior to purchasing the lot.
- Drainage. A new construction will be built to local code with proper drainage in place.
- Landscaping. A hillside lot provides many landscaping challenges.
- Natural Disasters.
How were stone keep castles defended?
The entire castle might be surrounded by a ditch or moat and entrance to the castle was by drawbridge. Foremost for the castle’s defense was its keep, a fortified tower built within the castles, used as a refuge of last resort if the castle fell to an enemy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a shell keep castle?
The third type of castle is shell keep castle. This kind of castle also has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that they were made of stone so it was strong, round so the defenders could see in all directions, and the round walls made it easier to organize a defense.
How many shell keeps are there in the UK?
Of course, without Motte and Bailey castles, there was no need for Shell Keeps. In total, English Heritage estimates that there are around 70 of these castles that still exist in the UK. The symmetrical innards of Restormel castle in Cornwall, UK.
Why shell keeps in York?
Rather than go to the vast expense of rebuilding the innards of the castle, Shell Keeps replaced the wooden outer wall which had previously encircled the castle. The shell of Clifford’s Tower, in York, is the only remnant of the old York Castle. Credit: Duncan Harris, CC-BY-2.0.
What is the purpose of a shell keep?
The space in the centre of the shell keep castle formed a courtyard which became the heart of the fortification. Traditionally shell keeps have been seen as the successor to the motte-and-bailey castle design, although this idea has been disputed by some recent historians.
