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What was in the moats around castles?
Castle moats were usually between 5 and 40 feet deep, and they were not always filled with water. Not all moats contained water, as a simple dry, wide ditch could prove an obstacle. These were called dry moats. In many stories, moats are filled with alligators or crocodiles.
What is inside a moat?
moat, a depression surrounding a castle, city wall, or other fortification, usually but not always filled with water. The existence of a moat was a natural result of early methods of fortification by earthworks, for the ditch produced by the removal of earth to form a rampart made a valuable part of the defense system.
Did they put anything in moats?
All this said, it wasn’t as if proud moat owners didn’t put anything in them. As for moats that were filled with water, while filling them with crocodiles or alligators wasn’t seemingly something anyone did, some savvy castle owners did fill them with fish giving them a nice private fishery.
What was a moat and what was it used for?
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that is dug and surrounds a castle, fortification, building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices.
How were castles with moats built?
The Normans built these castles by erecting a keep on a high mound of earth. A ditch then ran to the bottom of this hill-like structure. This eventually evolved into a proper moat which was essentially a long, wide and deep ditch running all around the periphery of castle walls.
How did they build castles with moats?
A medieval castle moat was typically constructed by first digging a ditch all around the castle walls. If the castle was located near a water body, the moat was then filled up with water.
What does moat stand for?
MOAT
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| MOAT | Measurement and Operations Analysis Team |
| MOAT | Metropolitan Oval Aquatic Trench (Phineas and Ferb television cartoon) |
| MOAT | Molothrus Ater (bird species) |
| MOAT | Missile on Aircraft Test |
What is a moat and how do they work?
Moats were dug around castles and fortresses as a means of boosting its defenses. The trench would act as an impediment to invading forces, making them easier targets for soldiers on castle ramparts. While a moat could be dug anywhere, unless there was a nearby supply of running water, it would have been incredibly difficult to fill with water.
What are some examples of ancient moats?
North view of the fortress of Buhen in Ancient Egypt. Some of the earliest evidence of moats has been uncovered around ancient Egyptian castles. One example is at Buhen, a castle excavated in Nubia. Other evidence of ancient moats is found in the ruins of Babylon, and in reliefs from ancient Egypt, Assyria, and other cultures in the region.
Do moats have alligators in them?
Not only is there no record of a moat containing alligators, most moats weren’t even filled with water. London Tower has a dry moat. Moats were dug around castles and fortresses as a means of boosting its defenses. The trench would act as an impediment to invading forces, making them easier targets for soldiers on castle ramparts.
How many moats are there in the world?
While England is said to have 5,000 moats alone, they’re also found in Africa, Japan, Asia, and elsewhere, protecting fortresses, temples, and towns as well as castles. Read on for ten amazing moats that you can still see.