Parts of a Castle
Quick Write It is A.D. 1275, and you are living in Medieval England. Lord Keiser has called upon all his vassals to attack Lord Trevett s castle. Explain how you would attack Lord Trevett s castle.
Motte and Bailey Castle
13th Century Castle
1. Early Castles - The early medieval castles were called Motte and Bailey castles. Made of Wood and earth. Uncomfortable and crowded places to live. They had no Plumbing. Fresh water was difficult to find. Servants threw herbs on the floor in an attempt to mask the bad smell.
2. Parts of a Motte and Bailey Castle Motte - a mound of dirt and rock constructed in order to raise the level of the castle and this provide additional protection against invaders Keep - is the strong hold of the castle built on top of the motte Bailey - a wider area of land next to the motte. It included the kitchen, stables, workshops, chapel and residences for peasants and workers.
Drawbridge - can be drawn back or raised to prevent the moat from being crossed in case of an attack. Moat or Ditch - a man made body of water that surrounded the motte and bailey made it difficult for enemies to reach the castle and surrounding buildings. V
3. 12th and 13th Century Castles Building techniques improved and became more sophisticated Stone walls replaced wood and earth walls Stone was stronger, lasted longer, and kept the castle warmer in the winter
. 3. Wall, or the Curtain. 9. Moat 16. Rocky Ledges
4. Parts of the 12th and 13th Century Castle Rocky ledges - a rocky ledge were important for the placement of castles. Castles built of rock could not be seized by tunneling. Moat - The ditch around the castle. It was usually filled with water. Wall - it was sometimes called the curtain. Surrounded the courtyard of the castle. More than ten feet in thickness.
Rocky ledges
Moat
Wall V
14. Gatehouse 5. Drawbridge
Gatehouse - was a living quarters over the main gate of the castle. In the beginning the gatehouse was the most vulnerable part of the castle, but it became heavily fortified in the end. Drawbridge - could be raised or lowered. It was usually located over a moat.
Gatehouse
Drawbridge V
. 13. Portcullis. 10. Barbican
Barbican - a forward gate of the castle located before the main gate. It offered extra protection since the weakest part of the castle was considered to be the gate. Portcullis - the main gate of the castle. It was made of very heavy wood and was reinforced with iron grating. It could be raised or lowered for the protection of the people inside.
Barbican
Portcullis
12. Arrow-loops 15. Murder holes
Murder Holes - holes in the ceiling just after the first gate. The holes were used for dropping large stones on attackers who got through the front gate. Arrow Loops - narrow openings in the castle s towers through which archers fired their arrows on the enemy below.
Murder Holes
Arrow Loops
6. Parapets 7. Corbels 8. Machicolations
Parapets - The low part of the top edge of the tower or castle wall. Machicolations - the reason the parapets were built. They were holes in the parapets used for dropping all kinds of things such as boiling oil, hot water, and stones. Corbels - Stone projections in the walls which acted like brackets to support the parapets.
Parapets
Machicolations
Corbels V
4. The Keep 2. Inner bailey 1. Outer bailey
Outer Bailey - The first courtyard in the outer wall. Inner Bailey - The inner courtyard. It was protected by two walls. Keep - It was the strongest and most heavily fortified part of the castle as it was designed to be the last line of defense. The keep usually housed the owner and his family. It was also where the great hall was often located.
Outer Bailey and Inner Bailey
Keep
11. Postern gate
Postern Gate - was a back gate. It was supposed to be a secret, but oftentimes was not. The gate was used for attacking and surrounding the enemy outside the castle, as an escape, or for the coming and going of scouts and spies.
Postern Gate