The motte-and-bailey was a typical Norman defensive structure consisting of a raised earthwork (the motte) topped with a wooden or stone keep, and an enclosed courtyard or bailey below. This design allowed for rapid construction and effective defense against Welsh resistance.
Cardiff Castle was initially a wooden fortification, but over the following centuries, the wooden structures were replaced with stone. The Normans faced ongoing resistance from Welsh princes and clans, making Cardiff Castle a vital military stronghold for asserting Norman and later English control.
Medieval Expansion and Development
During the 12th and 13th centuries, Cardiff Castle was transformed into a formidable stone fortress. The motte was topped by a massive stone keep, and stone curtain walls were built around the bailey to strengthen defenses.
The castle played a key role in the conflicts between the Welsh princes and the English crown. It was part of the Marcher Lordships—semi-autonomous lordships along the Welsh-English border where Norman lords exercised considerable power.
In 1316, the castle was attacked and briefly captured by Welsh forces during the uprising led by Llywelyn Bren, a Welsh nobleman who rebelled against English authority. Though the castle was retaken, this event highlighted the ongoing tensions in the region.
Throughout the medieval period, Cardiff Castle was continuously modified to meet changing military needs. Its defensive features were enhanced, including the addition of towers, battlements, and gatehouses. However, by the late Middle Ages, the castle’s military importance began to decline as political stability in Wales increased. shutdown123