Motte Castles rising from the Earth
Almost a thousand years ago, the first castles in Flanders did not rise from stone but from earth. These so-called motte castles consisted of artificial hills surrounded by water and wooden defenses, symbols of power for the medieval elite. Around them grew villages, trade, and everyday life. Through a series of drawings, this project imagines how such a landscape could have evolved from the first earthworks to a thriving medieval settlement.
1
12th century
Choosing the Site
Before a castle could be built, the lord had to find the right place. Near rivers and marshes, a natural rise in the landscape offered both visibility and protection. From this strategic location, the future lord could control crossings, trade routes, and the surrounding land.
2
12th century
Raising the Motte
Building a motte castle was a massive engineering project. Workers dug deep ditches and used the excavated earth to create a steep artificial hill. Timber from nearby forests provided the palisades and structures that turned the mound into a fortress.
3
12th century
The Castle Completed
At the top of the motte stood a wooden tower overlooking the landscape. Surrounded by a wide moat and defensive fences, the castle was difficult for enemies to approach. From afar, the tower signaled authority and power across the countryside.
4
13th century
Life in the Lower Court
Below the tower lay the “bailey” or lower court, the center of daily life. Farmers, craftsmen, and servants worked here while animals and supplies were kept close to the castle. A small chapel provided a place for prayer and community.
5
15th - 16th century
A Village Takes Shape
The protection of the castle attracted settlers. Houses, workshops, and fields gradually appeared nearby, forming the beginnings of a village. Trade, agriculture, and faith intertwined as the settlement slowly grew.
4
19th century
From Fortress to Estate
Over the centuries, the defensive role of the motte faded. The steep mound was reshaped and new buildings replaced the original wooden tower. What had once been a military stronghold evolved into a more comfortable residence or farm complex.
7
1914 - 1918
War on the Horizon
In 1914 the quiet landscape suddenly became part of the front line. When the Belgian army flooded the IJzer plain to stop the German advance, Oud-Stuivekenskerke lay directly in the zone of fire. The few elevated points in the flat, waterlogged terrain, including the old motte, became valuable observation and artillery positions.
8
19th century
A Landscape of Memory
After the war the village slowly rebuilt itself. New inhabitants returned to the damaged land, while certain places were transformed into sites of remembrance. The old church became a lookout tower and the nearby chapel honored the many soldiers who had fallen here.
7
Today
Rediscovering the Past
Today archaeologists are uncovering the hidden layers of Oud-Stuivekenskerke. Their research reveals how the village developed and how the medieval motte castle once shaped the landscape. Piece by piece, the past of Stuvin is being brought back to light.
