The History of Medieval Moats

 From Rural Historia:

Medieval moats were strategically dug around castles and other fortifications as a crucial part of their defensive systems, often situated just outside the walls. In locations where it was feasible, these moats could be filled with water, adding an extra layer of defense.

The primary function of a moat was to hinder the effectiveness of siege weaponry, such as siege towers and battering rams, which required close proximity to the walls to be effective. Additionally, a moat filled with water significantly impeded the tactic of mining, which involved digging tunnels under a castle to collapse its defenses.

There were variations in moat designs, including segmented moats, which comprised both dry and water-filled sections. Dry moats were particularly effective when cut across a narrow part of a spur or peninsula, known as neck ditches. In some castle designs, moats were used to separate different parts of the structure, such as the inner and outer wards, and these were referred to as cross ditches. (Read more.)