The Medieval Castle

The first medieval castles were built during the 9th century (year 800)

Castle image by Gonçalo Carreira retreived May 18, 2015 from Fotolia.com

The main purpose of a castle was to protect nobility (Kings and

Queens)and defend its inhabitants against attacks

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from medievalchronicles.com

The first medieval castles were constructed of stone, timber and earth

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from medievalchronicles.com

The outer wall was its first line of defense. In some cases the walls

might have been as thick as 6 meters

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from Don Winn’s Cardboard Box Adventure https://cardboardboxadventures.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/medieval-castles-part-i-protection-from-marauders/

Lever and pulley systems were used to lower and raise the castle drawbridge. They were made of heavy wood plated

with metal

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from freewebs.com

A portcullis (metal grill) was often found beyond the drawbridge. It could

be lowered or raised as needed

Image retrieved May 18,2015 from Castle defenses:history.howstuffworks.com

Moats were a simple but very effective defense of the medieval castle. They were most often filled with water but

could also be dry and filled with various items that could injure the

enemy

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from medievalchronicles.com

Castles had very high walls making it hard for attackers to climb

Image retrieves May 18, 2015 from Medieval Castle Defense: Defending a Castle www.exploring-castles.com

Square or rounded towers were built as part as the curtain the wall. Their

purpose was to afford better protection (better view)

Image retrieved from Skyscraper City www.skyscrapercity.com

On the top of the castle walls were battlements, a protective, tooth

shaped wall often with a walkway behind it for the soldiers to stand on.

Image retrieved from: Medieval Battlement From Palais Des Papes Photo by jasonandvikki …s598.photobucket.com

To protect themselves when defending against intruders, murder holes and

arrow or gun loops were built into the walls

Image retrieved May 18, 2015 from 3D Modelling: October 2012 owiesed13.blogspot.comImage retrieved May 18, 2015 from Deal and Deal Castle, Kent, England | DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogydna-explained.com

Who lived in castles?• The Lord or King and his family lived in the main

keep tower (biggest part of the castle) • The guards and soldiers• The staff (cleaning, cooking etc.)• The Priest• Grounds keepers• Tradesmen (blacksmith, knife grinders, bakers,

butchers etc.)

If you lived in the medieval time, what

would your castle look like?

Life in the Middle Ages - Grade 7 Humanities Warwick Castle ...acs-schools.libguides.com