Table of Contents
Where in a castle is the most defensive position?
The Outer Curtain Wall This wall was the main layer of defence, and it tended to be incredibly strong – for example, the curtain wall of Caerphilly Castle in Wales was more than 2 metres (that’s more than 6ft) thick.
What are some defensive features of a castle?
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.
What is the most important feature of a castle?
Walls. One of the most important features in a castle was its walls. Whether made of wood, stone or brick, they provided a barrier to enemy attackers. They typically included wall walks, which were used by the defenders to resist attempts to scale the walls or to shoot missiles at the besiegers.
What makes a good 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 were the functions of a castle?
Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration. Castles were not only built and used by the crown.
What is a castle defense?
A castle was built to withstand attack from enemy. Castle builders added many defensive features to make their castles difficult to attack. Tall thick curtain walls surrounded the castle buildings like a strong shield. There were few doors in the wall thus limiting access to the castle.
What are the defensive features of a castle?
A bent entrance is a defensive feature in mediaeval fortification. In a castle with a bent entrance, the gate passage is narrow and turns sharply. Its purpose is to slow down attackers attempting to rush the gate and impede the use of battering rams against doors.
How tall is the outer wall of a castle?
Outer Walls. The outer curtain wall was high, thick and made of stone or brick. Walls could range from 6 to 10 meters high and 1.5 to 8 meters thick. In many castles, wall thickness varied according to the area’s perceived vulnerability.
What are the battlements on top of a castle?
The top of the castle walls were the battlements, a protective, tooth shaped parapet often with a wall walk behind it for the soldiers to stand on.
Why was the shield wall on the side of a castle?
The shield wall was often placed on the side of a castle that might be especially vulnerable to siege weapons like catapults, trebuchets and siege towers (more on this later). The shield wall could also prevent objects from going over the walls into the bailey.