1. CASTLES

2. What is a castle?
It’s a large strong building. The fortified private
residence of a King or a nobleman.
It provides safety and protection from attacks and
displays the owner’s rank and wealth.
It’s got small windows and high walls so it’s
difficult to invade.

3. There are castles near rivers

4. near the sea

5. on hills

6. on mountains

7. THE PARTS OF A CASTLE
The keep
At the heart of a castle there
is its tower, the “keep” .
The number of floors inside
depends on its size and the
wealth of its owner. All keeps
have got a large room, the
“Great Hall” .

8. The curtain wall
It’s a deep wall around the outside of the keep and
the bailey. There are few doors in the wall to limit
the access to the castle.
The bailey
It’s the area between the inside of the wall
and the keep.

9. The Gate House
The castles front door is very strong. It is opposite
the only bridge over the moat. Soldiers live here.
They fight in battles and defend the castle.
The moat
It’s a wide ditch around the whole castle. It
reduce the risk of tunneling under the castle.

11. INSIDE A CASTLE
There is a magnificent hall, confortable chambers
and a beautiful chapel. Larger castles have got their
own fish ponds, orchards, and vineyards, as well as
gardens for vegetables and herbs.

12. The Great Hall
It’s the heart of the castle life.
This is a very big and important room.
The lord and his family eat here.
On special occasions there are big banquets.

13. The Kitchen
It’s far from the keep, in case of fire.
Cooks get up early and cook the food.
The Storeroom
There is lots of food and drink here.

14. Toilets
Castles haven’t got toilets, instead people sit on
wooden seats called “garderobes”.
The Well
Almost all castles have got a “well” inside their
walls.

15. The Solar
This room gets a lot of light.
It’s the lord and lady’s room. They sleep here.

16. The Chapel
Some castles have their small private chapel near
to the lords chambers. There are painted walls
and stained glass windows.