CASTLES EXPLAINED

 

 

Early castles were comparatively simple in layout. They consisted of a massive stone tower, or KEEP, built upon elevated ground, surrounded, or fronted, by a walled courtyard, known as a bailey, with a fortified GATEHOUSE. The whole was surrounded by a moat, or deep ditch, filled with water.

 

Soldiers occupied the first floor of the Keep as a Guardroom; below was a stone-vaulted basement. On the second floor was the Baronial Hall and above that were chambers for use as dormitories and other domestic purposes. From this simple fortification developed more elaborate and complex structures, varying greatly in design and plan. The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries saw great advances in military architecture. It was during this period that Edward I, after his campaign in Wales, built a series of castles which are some of the finest in the country.

 

Additional ground was enclosed to form the OUTER BAILEY. Strong stone towers, BASTIONS, were built at the angles of the walls and rooms for retainers and stores were constructed within the encircling walls. The gatehouse was further protected by a BARBICAN, an outer building often with flanking towers between which a PORTCULLIS, a massive iron grille, could be lowered to prevent unauthorised entry, which was also guarded against by a DRAWBRIDGE across the

MOAT.

 

Some terms explained:

Bailey or Ward	The ground enclosed by a protecting wall.
Barbican	The outer defence, frequently a twin-towered gateway on the castle side of the moat.
Bastion	A specially strengthened projection, or tower, at an angle of the wall.
Battlement	An indented wall around a tower or wall.  The raised parts are known as Cops, or Merlons, and the spaces between are Embrasures or Crenelles.
Crenellated	Provided with battlements, or loopholes, through which missiles could be discharged.
Curtain Wall	The defensive wall between two towers.
Drawbridge	The bridge spanning the moat.  Hinged at one end and free at the other.  It could be drawn up when required to prevent entry.
Embrasure	The open space in the battlement, widened to allow ample room for an archer.
Enceinte	The outer encircling wall.
Garderobe	A latrine.
Keep	The single tower of a castle.
Machincolation	A projecting parapet on the castle wall with gaps between the supporting brackets through which stones or boiling liquids could be dropped upon invaders.
Moat	A wide. deep ditch surrounding the castle, usually filled with water.
Postern Gate	A small gate in the caste wall.
Portcullis	A heavy grating of ironbound wood with spikes along the bottom and made to slide up and down between the side towers of an entrance gate.
Solar	A withdrawing room, exposed to the sun.
Ward	An alternative term for a bailey.
Well House	A building above a well head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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