Motte & Bailey Fort

Just a little something I threw together a while back. I was actually rather surprised nobody had already built one for Minecraft (or if they have, I couldn't find it).

"A motte-and-bailey castle is a fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. Relatively easy to build with unskilled, often forced labour, but still militarily formidable, these castles were built across northern Europe from the 10th century onwards, spreading from Normandy and Anjou in France, into the Holy Roman Empire in the 11th century. ." (thank you, Wikipedia!)

My castle is a small example of these fortifications, with a low motte and intended more as a manor than a true stronghold. It is built on a small peninsula on the edge of the sea. The tower is three stories high and fully furnished; the bailey has five buildings, all furnished: two sleeping quarters, a mess hall, a kitchen and a small storeroom. Oh, and a well because no castle worth it's salt doesn't have its own water supply (you'd be surprised how many people forget to add this vital resource).

Best used with the JohnSmithLegacy texture pack.

Built to the same scale as my Walled Medieval Town, so if you like this one take a look at that other project.
Or look at my Abandoned Farm, the Hill Manor, the Greenfeathers Inn or the Valley of the Knock designs.

Feedback is very welcome so leave a comment if you find this interesting.

You are welcome to use this design in any non-commercial mod or design of your own. Just give me proper attribution. Also, if you make your work available to the public please let me know; I'd love to see your designs too!