a second castle, which occupied the entire width of the ridge, seems to have been norman, presumably constructed by nigel fossard (d. about 1120), who obtained the property after the norman conquest. fossard is recorded in the domesday book of 1086 as a tenant of 114 manors, all in yorkshire, including under robert, count of mortain of "grif", identified as mulgrave in the hundred of langbaurgh. he became himself a tenant-in-chief of the king in 1088, and a holder of the large feudal barony whose "caput" was at mulgrave, hence known as the barony of mulgrave, which according to the "cartae baronum" return made in 1166 comprised 33 1/2 knight's fees. the main approach was located on the west, with two stone towers overlooking the entrance. moats prohibited approach from the east and ensured that western approach was by means of a drawbridge. differing levels of land surrounding the containing walls caused the wall to bulge outwards, which required buttressing. some of the bricks used in the structure are clearly roman.