The moat was a ditch – a line of defence. It did not have to have water in it, but wherever possible, it did.
Again, think back to medieval times when the moat was in use. How often? With luck never. So what else could it have been used for? It could have been used as a fish pond to help feed the castle staff.
Remember, though, that many gardebrobes emptied to the base of walls, and the moat ran to the base of the walls, too!…
