[Gordon]

Re Castle Westhove

http://www.castles.nl/westh/westh.html

Laureen -

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How do they make moats like that? Is a big ditch around the castle and land or is the structure built to the "bottom" then flooded? I ask because it looks like the castle is standing in water.

Gordon-

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Moats are flooded afterward, the water supply to the moat is often controlled by sluices.

Laureen -

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So the structure is built to the bottom of the moat? what prevents water from flooding the structure? And, how do you control dampness?

Gordon-

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The moat might be a ditch rather than a big hole, so the castle could be standing on an 'island', with the stone work right up to the edge. The stonework could also go right to the bootm of the moat . Dampness would be a problem. If the floor level is above water level, then rising damp in the walls would be the problem. Apparently the best way to avoid dampness in a castle is to keep it heated inside all the time. Sluices would provide a maximum water level, ie it couldn't come any higher up the walls than you wanted.
I can't think of a castle where there are rooms below water level, water seepage/flooding would be the unavoidable problem there.

Gordon-

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An important point to remember is that a moat was basically a ditch built to prevent easy approach to the castle walls, but it also inhibited attempts to undermine the walls, because the mine would flood. It could also act as a fish pond, or sewer and refuse disposal which was particularly effective if the water was flowing.

[Duncan]

We've got other posts about this some where around here.
Lime mortar and the concrete used in those times had dampness problems even when fresh but I seem to remember something in one of my older books that mentioned a possible fix for the problem.
I'll have to have some time to go through many books to find the topic.

[Laureen]

I would love to see this topic filled out. I'm very naive here and it interests me.

[Gordon]

We had a bit of a discussion about it in the old place at one time, or maybe it was a lecture from our 'friend'.

[Duncan]

That was a lecture with little content other then ravings.

I'm all for the topic with it raining out side and the ditch turning into a small moat.

[Dave Lakin]

I've got a moat on two sides of my garden. Well two brooks that join in one corner(but I can dream) I'm thinking of building a curtain wall and polygonal towers, not that it's rough in Derbyshire

[Gordon]

A motte and bailey is cheaper and quicker, when the local natives are determined to beseige you. Trust me, I live in Glasgow!
I'm sure your neighbours wouldn't mind if it looked authentic.....

[Duncan]

The topic here was very fragmented and nothing really easily salvaged so it looks like we go from this point.
Is a ditch intentended to be dry which fills with water at some time or the other considered to be a moat?
There are many castles like your property Dave that used a river or stream to help form the moat as we all know,
but.....
Is a lake a moat?
or
Is a moat a lake?
heck,
What is a moat?

[Gordon]

A moat is a deep ditch which surrounds a fortification which can either be dry or wet. It's purpose is to protect the main structure by inhibiting access to the walls.

[Duncan]