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The process of feudalisation in England begun in 11th century. In Scotland the introduction of feudalism and castles was a later and more gradual process which begun in 12th century by the Canmore dynasty. The death of Malcolm Canmore had led to turmoil in Scotland. Then one of his sons – David – began introducing Norman retainers, feudal landholding and castles. This process was called Normanization. As in England, the first castles built north of the border were of the motte-and-bailey variety, and were surrounded by a ditch. The motte was a large pile of earth in a truncated cone shape. At the foot of the motte lay one or more baileys, usually kidney-shaped. The residence of the feudal lord was situated in a wooden tower, which crowned the top of the motte. Because of the process of feudalisation, the greatest concentration of surviving mottes in Scotland is in the south – west part of it between the Cyde and Solway. Alexander I and his brother David I reasserted the power of the monarchy in the same way as the Norman kings had done in England Most of surviving mottes are found in those regions of Galloway where royal authority was less clearly established. The mottes were erected in such places to establish authority of Malcolm IV.
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