Motte and Bailey (Civ5)

Motte and Bailey
Swordsman improvement
Introduced in Civilization and Scenario Pack: Denmark (The Vikings)
Scenario	1066: Year of Viking Destiny
Unique to	Norman
Requires	Engineering
Effect
+100% defensive strength for any unit on the tile 3 damage to adjacent enemy units
Improves
Grassland
Grassland
Plains
Plains

Back to List of improvements in Civ5

The Motte and Bailey is a unique improvement of the Norman civilization from the 1066: Year of Viking Destiny scenario in Civilization V. It is built by the Swordsman.

Game Info

Unique defensive improvement of the Normans. Only a Swordsman may build it.

• Constructed on:
  • Grassland, Plains
• Effects:
  • Gives +100% defensive Combat Strength to a unit on the tile.
  • Deals 3 damage to enemy units that end their turn on adjacent tiles.

Strategy

The Motte and Bailey is indispensable for entrenching Norman troops in strategic locations. It is essentially the same as a Citadel, but can be constructed without sacrificing a Great General. Have your Swordsmen build it in empty terrain next to captured cities to ensure that the English will suffer heavy losses when they try to retake them.

Civilopedia entry

A design first attributed to the Normans in the 10th century, the motte-and-bailey was a type of elevated castle built on top of a raised earthwork mound. The Motte was formed by digging a trench around the prospective castle site. The leftover fill-dirt was then used to construct an artificial hill or mound, upon which the castle itself was built. The "Bailey" refers to the lower courtyard, typically enclosed by a large wall, containing a barracks, servants' quarters, and storage buildings.

Gallery

Motte and Bailey in game

Related achievements

Fetchez la Vache! Build a Motte and Bailey improvement Referencing another French castle in England.