Castles are an important part of the British heritage. Imported into Britain by the Norman conquerors when after defeating Harold they established a series of earth and stone mounds known as a Motte with an outer barricaded courtyard known as a Bailey. The Normans were prolific Castle builders and one huge example was built in an astonishing 8 days. The Norman castle building took off after an uprising in the North of England and the subsequent punishment issued by the Normans that destroyed homes, livestock and land and which led to thousands upon thousands of deaths. The subsequent completion of over 500 Motte and Bailey castles gave way to stone castles as the Norman leadership strived to increase their hold on the United Kingdom. Wales in particular was known as a land of thieves and held in low esteem by the Normans. And that's what people do isn't it? Unfair judgements based on ad-hoc and usually low key experiences. Human beings are keen to judge and historically the British are as bad as any other nation. The Zulu wars from 1879 are a prime example of British opinionated superior ism. But as I come to the end of two books written by the Historian and Author Ian Knight, I can only conclude that the Africans were in many ways superior in culture, tactics and strategy. Theirs was a just cause, but unfortunately they lacked the technological advantages of evolving weaponry. And after Iswalanda the Africans were too keen to inflict further defeat without understanding the true value of a defensive area where a rifle could keep warriors with stabbing spears and cowhide shields easily at bay. Rorke's Drift was no castle but the defensive principles are in many ways the same as the Norman Motte and Bailey. Invaders establishing a safety perimeter and lording it over others. Britain in the 11th Century and Africa in the 19th.
Anyway it's great to be back and I send best wishes to all of those that check into the Blog from various parts of the World.
The photograph shows a Norman early wooden version Motte and Bailey model. The model was constructed for 15mm high war gaming soldiers. The water is made from PVA and the white area dried clear after the photograph was taken.
