History
What is a castle?
Quick answer
A castle is a large fortified building where a lord lived and defended his land. Medieval castles had thick walls, towers, a gatehouse and often a moat.
In one sentence
A castle was a strong home for a lord, built with thick walls and towers to keep people safe and to control the land around it.
Explained
Castles are a medieval invention, and they were both homes and fortresses. A lord needed somewhere to live, to store food and weapons and to show his power. In England, many were built after the Normans arrived in 1066. The first ones were wooden: a tower on a mound (the motte) with a fenced yard (the bailey). They were quick to build. Over time, many were rebuilt in stone, which was stronger and could not burn.
castle
bridge
door
Castle builders thought of many ways to stop attackers:
- Moat: a deep ditch around the walls, often filled with water.
- Drawbridge: a bridge that could be raised.
- Portcullis: a heavy grille lowered to block the gate.
- Curtain wall: a high, thick outer wall.
- Battlements: the top of the wall, with gaps so defenders could shoot while hiding behind the solid parts.
- Arrow slits: thin windows through which archers could shoot.
- Keep: the strongest tower, in the middle.
- Great hall: a big room for meals, feasts and meetings.
Round towers were harder to knock down than square ones. Inside, a castle was like a small town, with a kitchen, a well, stables, a chapel and a blacksmith. Many people worked there, from cooks to guards.
Castles became less useful when cannons got stronger, and later nobles moved into comfortable houses. Famous castles include Windsor Castle in England, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and Krak des Chevaliers in Syria. Castles belong to the Middle Ages, and the soldiers who lived in them included knights. Strong walls rely on good materials such as stone and timber.
Examples
| Part | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Moat | keeps attackers away from the wall |
| Drawbridge | gives a way in that can be closed |
| Keep | the last place to hold out |
| Battlements | protect defenders on the wall |
| Great hall | feasts and meetings |
Common mistakes
- "All castles were stone from the start." Many early ones were made of wood.
- "Castles were cosy." They were cold, draughty and dark.
- Treating fairy-tale castles as medieval. Some, like Neuschwanstein in Germany, were built in the 1800s.
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