A motte is a large, steep-sided man-made mound of earth crowned by a wooden or stone tower called a keep. It served as a high-visibility watchtower, a symbol of feudal power, and the ultimate line of defense in a motte-and-bailey castle.

Physical Structure of the Motte:
The Mound: Typically shaped like a flattened cone, mottes ranged from 6 to 12 meters (20 to 40 feet) high, created by piling compacted soil and stone—often excavated from an encircling ditch.

Slopes: Steep inclines were sometimes packed tight or coated with wet clay to make them slippery and difficult for attackers to climb.

The Summit Platform: A flat top area that held the main defensive stronghold.

Defensive and Living Features Atop the Motte:
The Keep: A fortified tower—originally timber, later stone—that functioned as a lookout post, a secure redoubt, and occasionally the private residence of the lord.

The Palisade: A protective wooden fence or wall ringing the perimeter of the flat top to shield defenders.

Access Points: Entry was typically restricted to a removable wooden ladder or a narrow bridge connected from the lower bailey courtyard.