Do you see that mound? That is the Motte Féodale. It represents a key piece of Lille’s history. The Motte Féodale played a significant role in shaping the region.
Let’s delve into the story of the Motte Féodale. These fortifications appeared at the end of the 11th century. The ducal motte castles of Gisors and Château-sur-Epte were built in 1097. Other mottes were built during the first quarter of the 12th century. This was notably during the war between Henri I Beauclerc and his brother Robert Courteheuse in 1105-1106. They also emerged during the French invasion of part of the Vexin in 1118-1119. Another time was during the revolt of the barons against Henri I Beauclerc in 1123-1124.
A motte castrale often called “motte féodale” is a particular type of fortification. It was widely used in the early Middle Ages. It is composed of an embankment of voluminous and circular earth. This is the mound itself. There are several forms of construction of these structures in all regions of Europe. The motte castrale was replaced by the stone castle. This happened before the end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance of the 12th century saw the triumph of the philippic architecture.
In most cases, the mound was surrounded by a ditch. The top was occupied by a strong palisade. A wooden fortress was built there with a watchtower. This was similar to a dungeon. The mound can be considered a primitive castle.
In Western Europe, in the tenth century, the Carolingian army proved too heavy. It could not react to the rapid Viking raids. The defense was therefore organized locally around mottes. These were quick to build. They also used inexpensive materials available everywhere. Gradually, a warrior elite was created. Their authority was materialized by the motte castrale.
The lord ensured the protection of a commercial or economic place. This was often a village. The motte became a dominant element of the spatial organization of the year 1000. It could also serve as a lordly residence.
Concerning our Motte Féodale, it is quite typical of the fortifications. These appeared at the end of the 11th century. It is possible to hypothesize that the small castle of Mesnil-Jourdain was built at this period. It seems that this type of fortification was no longer built in our region after the middle of the 12th century. It is therefore interesting that the toponym and the typology of the fortification are in agreement.
The Motte Féodale system of defense appeared around the 10th century. It generally involved a mound. At the summit, a wooden fort and a watchtower were constructed. The whole structure was protected by wooden barricades and circular ditches. Here in Lille, the motte was said to be between 10 and 15 meters high. The ditches became the bed of the canal de la Monnaie. Its trace is still visible today in the north-northeast part of the Notre Dame de la Treille cathedral.
Imagine the bustling activity around the Motte Féodale. Lords, soldiers, and villagers all played their part in this vital structure. The Motte Féodale stood as a testament to the changing times. It represents both the Viking threat and the evolving strategies to counter it.