So, moats were a very common feature in early Medieval castles in Northern Europe. They were much less common in Southern Europe and later in the Middle Ages, though many castles built then still incorporated moats, either wet or dry, if built on earth on low ground, rather than on rock on hills or ridges.

What are moats in castles?

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.

When did castles have moats?

Moats were first used in the Medieval period, from 1016 to 1164. Castles were built on the top of high hills. The area at the bottom of the hill was eventually called the moat.