The use of moats greatly enhanced the defensive capabilities of Romanesque castles. Moats were used to create a barrier around the castle, making it difficult for attackers to approach the castle walls or entrance. The deep, often water-filled trenches provided an effective obstacle against foot soldiers, siege engines, and siege towers, and made it hard for attackers to construct tunnels or undermine the walls.
As attackers would have to wade through the water, the moat slowed down their approach, giving the castle defenders more time to prepare for an attack. The moat also made it harder for enemy soldiers to provide support to the attackers, as they could not easily cross the moat to join the battle.
Finally, moats added an additional layer of defense to the castle, making it costlier and more time-consuming for attackers to capture it. This helped deter potential attackers, as many attackers would rather move on to an easier target than risk losing too many soldiers to a difficult siege.
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