Strongbow: The Norman Invasion of Ireland by Conor Kostick

Author:Conor Kostick [Kostick, Conor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

The castle built by Robert and Maurice was placed on the south side of the river, the better to threaten Wexford Town, while still being close enough to the river to be able to control the passage of ships along the Slaney. In form, the castle was based on a design very familiar to the Normans in Wales, the ringwork. The alternative model, that of a motte with a timber keep or bailey on top, would have been much more difficult to build and a waste of effort, given the defensive value of the exposed rocks of the top of the steep crag. So Robert and Maurice ordered their men to supplement the natural defences of the high terrain with a ditch and wooden palisade that ringed their residential buildings. In places where the soil was thin, the castle builders hacked out the rock itself to deepen the ditch. Although the resulting defences were not impressive – with a shallow ditch and a palisade that was relatively flimsy and reliant on sods rather than sturdy timbers − it served its purpose. A very small number of defenders could easily keep a much larger force of attackers at bay. From the castle, it was easy to ride out and ensure payment from the passing ships and carts. And the silhouette of the castle provided an excellent reminder to the Wexford population that they had new lords.

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