Castle Features

A castle was the fortified home of a wealthy noble and built as a place of protection in times of battle.

Moat A moat was a great ditch around a castle and could be either wet or dry. A moat was a great ditch around a castle and could be either wet or dry. The moat, usually filled with water, was an important part of medieval fortification. The moat, usually filled with water, was an important part of medieval fortification. Castle builders frequently diverted small streams or rivers to fill the moats with water and enhance the defenses of a castle. Castle builders frequently diverted small streams or rivers to fill the moats with water and enhance the defenses of a castle.

Moat

Drawbridge The drawbridge was one of the most important defensive features of a castle. The drawbridge was one of the most important defensive features of a castle. A drawbridge was a main entry to a castle and usually located over a moat. A drawbridge was a main entry to a castle and usually located over a moat. This drawbridge could be raised, leaving attackers unable to enter the castle. This drawbridge could be raised, leaving attackers unable to enter the castle.

Drawbridge

Gatehouse The gatehouse was the living quarters of the guards over the main gate of the castle. The gatehouse was the living quarters of the guards over the main gate of the castle. As time went on it became heavily fortified and very important. As time went on it became heavily fortified and very important. Access to the palace grounds on this side could be made only through this drawbridge and gatehouse. Access to the palace grounds on this side could be made only through this drawbridge and gatehouse.

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

The portcullis was a heavy gate made of wood and iron which could be dropped down to close off the gatehouse.

An exposed portcullis.

Outer Wall The outer wall, or curtain as it was sometimes called, a feature common to most medieval castles. The outer wall, or curtain as it was sometimes called, a feature common to most medieval castles. The curtain was simply a set of walls that surrounded and protected the interior of the castle. The curtain was simply a set of walls that surrounded and protected the interior of the castle. Strongly built, it was not uncommon for the castle's walls to be 10 or more feet in thickness. Strongly built, it was not uncommon for the castle's walls to be 10 or more feet in thickness. Walls were often connected by a series of towers to add strength and provide for better defense of the ground outside the castle. Walls were often connected by a series of towers to add strength and provide for better defense of the ground outside the castle.

A drum tower was a round tower built into a wall, usually connecting stretches of exterior curtain wall.

Wall Walks Wall Walks were an important security feature in medieval castles. Wall Walks were an important security feature in medieval castles. They made it easy to move quickly between towers and allowed the garrison to better defend the castle. They made it easy to move quickly between towers and allowed the garrison to better defend the castle.

Sentries could keep watch for approaching enemies from their high position, and defenders could use the wall walks as a fighting platform from which attackers could be repulsed.

Battlement – a narrow wall built along the outer edge of the wall walk to protect soldiers against attack.

A Closer Look

Arrow-loops were narrow openings or crosses set inside walls and towers enabling defenders to launch arrows at outside attackers.

The Keep Almost all castle construction began as a single tower, called a keep, to which other defensive works were later added. Almost all castle construction began as a single tower, called a keep, to which other defensive works were later added. The keep was the strongest and most heavily fortified part of the castle, and was usually the place of last refuge when defending the castle. The keep was the strongest and most heavily fortified part of the castle, and was usually the place of last refuge when defending the castle. The keep was the center of castle life, often serving as the lord's residence. The keep was the center of castle life, often serving as the lord's residence. In it the great hall was located. The great hall was the heart of the castle. It was used for family dinners, banquets, games, dancing, and entertainment and sometimes a courtroom. In it the great hall was located. The great hall was the heart of the castle. It was used for family dinners, banquets, games, dancing, and entertainment and sometimes a courtroom.

Keeps were sometimes built round and sometimes square. Square keeps made nicer rooms

But round keeps were easier to defend

Attacking a Castle A movable tower, used to put armed men on top of the walls of a fortified place. A movable tower, used to put armed men on top of the walls of a fortified place. Animal hides have been hung on the side of the tower to prevent its catching fire from fire arrows. Animal hides have been hung on the side of the tower to prevent its catching fire from fire arrows. The moat, at lower left, has been filled in with logs so the tower can be rolled into position. The moat, at lower left, has been filled in with logs so the tower can be rolled into position.

Movable Tower

Attacking a Castle The trebuchet was a serious weapon of medieval castle warfare and siege. The trebuchet was a serious weapon of medieval castle warfare and siege. Using a large counterweight, it was able to hurl huge stones against castle walls and was surprisingly effective. Using a large counterweight, it was able to hurl huge stones against castle walls and was surprisingly effective.

Trebuchet

Trebuchet