Castle Terminology: The Bailey

The bailey was an open area inside the castle complex that contained the domestic and other necessary buildings of castle life. The inner bailey was an area inside the main castle, while the outer bailey lay outside the central castle defences, and was therefore more vulnerable to attack. Shown above is the large Inner Bailey found at Manorbier Castle in southwest Wales.

Aerial photograph copyright © by Jan Kohl and castlegraphics.com

Back to Glossary of Castle Terms