Step by Step Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Cuilcagh: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

Cuilcagh - Community Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching HQ (Ireland)

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Hidden : 4/10/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

GZ is at the base of a small tree in the area of the summit of the motte steps. Container is a round tupperware container with a blue lid; has a pencil and some trades inside.

In 1177 John de Courcy led an army of Anglo-Norman knights and soldiers from Dublin. After a victory in Downpatrick, he took over a large part of counties Down and Antrim. In order to secure this land he built two stone fortresses in Carrickfergus and Dundrum. He gave land to his knights to reward them for their military service and they erected “motte and bailey” castles from earth and timber to defend their lands. Belvoir was one of these private mottes. “Motte” is a French word meaning “mound”. They were man-made and were constructed by digging earth up from a ditch and then covering it with a layer of clay to stop erosion and slippage. At Belvoir the motte rises on the highest point of the river bank, with the bailey to its North East at a lower slope of the bank. The bailey has been largely displaced, first by the construction of a carriage way, that extends between it and the motte and then by the erection of the ice house. From the top of the motte in Belvoir you can see how they would have been able to defend it from people attacking from the river which would have been one of the main means of access at that point. On top of the motte there would have been a wooden castle or “keep” which would have housed the knight and his family. The bailey was the area where the ordinary people and all the animals would have lived. It would have been connected to the motte by a wooden bridge or causeway and in times of attack everyone would have retreated into the keep for safety. The lord could over look the River Lagan and most of his land which would have included most of Belvoir Forest. John de Courcy was based in Carrickfergus so all his knights would have travelled there for important occasions. Norman power declined in the 14th and 15th centuries especially after the invasion of Robert the Bruce between 1315 and 1318. Gradually castles like the one at Belvoir were abandoned.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Bs nyy gur fznyy gerrf, V nz jvgu gur zbfg evtugrbhf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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