C) Ring
works
These are earthen mounds,
which supported a timber superstructure, sometimes combined with a bailey or
outer-banked enclosure. It is the method of fortification applied to towns and
cities and was the earliest type of castle.
During the 12th century the great tower of stone succeeded the
motte as the most favored type of donjon, it is sometimes equally notable by its
absence. In a feudal age so dependent upon hierarchy, status and symbolism, it
may be difficult to conceive of a castle with no donjon of any kind. Sometimes
these castles would have an inner bailey containing the private apartments as an
inner sanctum of lordship or regality, originally emphasized and embellished
architecturally.
Plan
of Caernarvon Castle
