What was the structure of a castle?

What was the structure of a castle?

During the Middle Ages, castles dominated landscapes throughout Europe. From the early mottes (flat-topped earthen mounds) with simple timber towers, rectangular keeps (main tower) and bailey walls (concentric walls around the keep), the castle developed into a complex defensive structure capable of repelling attack.

What are the layers of a castle?

The castle lords built multiple layers of defense over the target: a portcullis, a draw bridge, a moat. In the late middle ages, lords built towers over the top of the drawbridge from which to fire arrows or to dump boiling oil.

What is the structure of a medieval castle?

Many early castles were constructed mostly of wood in the motte and bailey design, but most castles built in the late medieval period were constructed mostly of stone with towers and crenellated walls. Some castles feature a moat and may have a drawbridge or stationary bridge, but many castles do not have moats.

What is the keep of a medieval castle?

Castle Keep. What was a Medieval Castle Keep. A medieval castle keep was a kind of fortified tower that had central importance in the defence of the castle. It also served the purpose of imprisoning political prisoners since it was considered one of the most impenetrable castle parts.

What are the different rooms in a castle?

Castles are often subdivided into different wards called Baileys, usually you get an inner and outer bailey, sometimes a middle bailey. The outer bailey generally contains workshops and stables called smithys and stables. The inner bailey contains the higher status buildings are rooms. The gatehouse might be protected by a Barbican ,…

How tall is a medieval castle?

The Picture below shows part of the castle wall of a Medieval Fortress in Cairo Egypt called “The Citadel” These walls were built by Saladin and at some points they are 30 feet tall and ten feet thick.