- Period (currency): Transient. The tradition of constructing and using motte castles lasted for about 150 years, starting possibly c.1050; none seem to have been built after the 12th century. Two peaks in building occurred, the first immediately after the Conquest and the second during the civil wars c.1138-54. There was no real alternative use for them other than incorporation in a later stone castle, and most were abandoned.
- Rarity: Rare. It is estimated that between 100 and 150 motte castles have been recorded in England, possibly fewer.
- Diversity (form): High. Three main kinds of motte plan and two main kinds of elevation allow at six main types of motte castle to be defined. No significant chronological or regional variations have yet been identified.
- Period (representativity) High. Motte castles are one of rather a restricted range of early medieval monument classes, and one of very few classes of the time devoted to defence.
The Class Importance Value is 28. This lies just under halfway up the range of possible values (max= 64), and reflects the rarity, wide distribution and diversity of this class of monument. In selecting examples of national importance attention should be given to getting a good mix of types and a range of sites in different situations.