Parts of a Medieval Castle
Medieval castles were elaborate structures geared for defense. They were fortresses, intended to be self-sufficient in times of siege and attack, but were also busy hives of activity where merchants sold their wares, traders milled about, and inhabitants worked, ate, slept ,worshipped and did the bidding of royalty. Whether simple or elaborate, medieval castles were easily identified by their architectural parts.
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The Keep
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Either round or square, the keep was built to protect its inhabitants and was often the largest and tallest section of the castle. It was originally called the "great tower," and its basement sometimes served as a prison, which was later called a dungeon.
The Bailey
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A large, open area within the safety of the castle walls was called the bailey. Here, the everyday running of the castle took place among the stables, guardrooms, kitchens, and workshops. It was a busy place, buzzing with workers, soldiers and livestock.
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Battlements
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Battlements are easily identified as the tall ramparts built along the tops of the castle walls, with their distinctive crenellations, or notches, from which soldiers fired their arrows at approaching enemies. The notches or gaps were about three feet wide, separated by a solid portions called "merlons."
Drawbridge and Portcullis
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When danger threatened, soldiers would immediately drop the portcullis, a heavy, iron gate that closed off the main entrance to the castle. The portcullis was located in the barbican, a fortified narrow entryway. A large, heavy drawbridge, which normally allowed entry to the castle, was raised as well, preventing anyone from coming or going.
Murder Holes and Gatehouse
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The gatehouse was a fortified structure at the very front of the castle. Murder holes were large openings in the ceilings of barbicans, gateways and other corridors or passageways that allowed soldiers within the castle to lob fire, boiling water or pitch, stones, or even rotting corpses and dung at enemies who intruded.
Moats
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A moat was a wide, deep trench that ran around the perimeter of the castle. It was filled with either water from a diverted spring or river, or sharpened wooden stakes that effectively slowed down the progress of approaching soldiers. Water-filled moats helped to reduce the danger of tunnelling beneath castle walls, a common technique called "sapping" used by attacking enemies.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Medieval Castle (www.karenwhimsy.com)
