Medieval Castles
When most people think of Medieval Times they think of castles. Castles are large stone buildings that nobles lived in. The residents of the castle lived in the keep and had a huge central fire to heat the whole castle. A castle also had a dungeon for keeping prisoners. Castles were usually built on the highest point in the area. Since there were many invaders at this time they had to put many traps and defenses to protect the castle.
The castles had many ways of defending an attack. Castles had moats of water or spikes and a drawbridge to stop enemies for getting in. Surrounding the castles was a huge curtain wall that was 6-20 feet thick, 45 feet high, and 1500 feet long. The walls had crenellations which allowed arrows to be fired. If an enemy got past the outside defenses there were also some inside the castle. Murder holes were used to drop large rocks, hot sand, molten lead, and boiling water or tar. The castle portcullis was a heavy grilled door hanging by rope from the ceiling. The knights would cut the ropes and drop the intruders would be impaled. To quickly get around knights would use machicolations. With all the defenses a castle had it was easy to protect the people who lived and worked there. |
"Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages." Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2014. <http://www.lordsandladies.org/parts-of-castles-in-the-middle-ages.htm>.
“Old Castle Gate.” Public Domain Pictures. Web. May 1, 2014.
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=popularita
“Medieval Castle And Blue Sky.” Public Domain Picture. Web. May
1, 2014. http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=popularita
“Carnarvon.”
Public Domain Picture. Web. May 1, 2014. http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=relevancy
“Old Castle Gate.” Public Domain Pictures. Web. May 1, 2014.
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=popularita
“Medieval Castle And Blue Sky.” Public Domain Picture. Web. May
1, 2014. http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=popularita
“Carnarvon.”
Public Domain Picture. Web. May 1, 2014. http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=medieval%20castle&seradit=relevancy