Table of Contents
What makes a good medieval castle?
The typical features of a medieval castle were: Moat – a perimeter ditch with or without water. Barbican – a fortification to protect a gate. Keep (aka Donjon or Great Tower) – the largest tower and best stronghold of the castle.
How comfortable were medieval castles?
Castles were built for defence not comfort. During such times, wealthy castle owners began to employ large numbers of servants rather than soldiers. They made the cold, dank castle rooms more comfortable by laying rushes on the floors, and hanging fabric tapestries on the walls.
What are some siege techniques or ways to infiltrate a castle?
Fire. Fire was the best way to attack the early Motte and Bailey castles since they were made entirely of wood.
What makes a strong castle?
A castle was built to withstand attack from enemy. Castle builders added many defensive features to make their castles difficult to attack. Many castles were built on high ground with clear views of the surrounding land. Tall thick curtain walls surrounded the castle buildings like a strong shield.
What defensive features did castles have?
How to defend a castle
- Building up high. Building a castle up high made it difficult for enemies to get to the castle.
- Tall towers. Strong towers were added to curtain walls to watch out for enemies.
- Battlements. Battlements were walls on the roof of a castle.
- Arrow slits.
- Moat.
- Drawbridge.
- Portcullis.
- Dungeons.
How do you beat a castle?
There are a number of ways of assaulting a castle: over the top of the walls using towers or ladders, under the walls using a mine, or through the walls using a battering ram, pickaxes or other tools.