Castles evolved over time during the Middle Ages as attackers developed new siege techniques. Early castles like motte and bailey constructions in the 9th century used wood and earth but were vulnerable to fire or decay. Later castles from the 12th-13th century used improved building methods and stone construction to better defend against attackers, replacing vulnerable wooden walls and structures. Key parts of these stronger castles included curtain walls, towers, keeps for housing the lord and family, and defenses like moats and machicolations for dropping objects on invaders.

2. The main purpose
of a castle was to
protect nobility
and defend its
inhabitants from
enemy attacks.

3.  During the Middle Ages hundred of castles
were built in Europe.
 Over this time the way they were built changed.
 Most of the reasons castles changed were
because attackers found new ways of breaking
into them. Castle defences needed to change to
keep these attackers out.

4. MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE
9TH CENTURY
CASTLE (12-13 TH CENTURY)

5. MOTTE AND BAILEY castles were the first
type built (9 th).
They were constructed of wood, stone, sand
earth.

6. Because this type of castle was built from wood it could
easily be set on fire and would rot over time.

7.  Castle defences needed
to change to keep these
attackers out.
 Building techniques
improved and became
more sophisticated.
 Stone walls replaced
wood because they were
better to defend its
inhabitants.

8. PARTS OF A CASTLE

9. A rocky ledge
was important
for the
placement of
castles. Castles
built of rock
could not be
seized by
tunneling.

10. Moat
The ditch
around the
castle. It was
usually filled
with water

11. It surrounded
the courtyard
(patio) of the
castle.

12. In the beginning
the gatehouse was
the most
vulnerable part of
the castle, but it
became heavily
fortified in the
end.

13. Could be raised
or lowered. It
was usually
located over a
moat.

14. It is a metal grill that was often found
beyond the drawbridge. It could be
lowered or raised as needed.

15. They are holes
in the roof
through which
rocks or other
things capable
of causing death
were dropped

16. Narrow
openings in the
castle’s towers
through which
archers fired
their arrows on
the enemy
below.

17. Machicolations They were holes s used
for dropping all kinds of
things such as boiling
oil, hot water, and
stones.

18. It was the
strongest and most
heavily fortified
part of the castle as
it was designed to
be the last line of
defense. The keep
usually housed the
owner and his
family. It was also
where the great
hall was often
located.

19. It was a back gate.
It was used for
attacking and
surrounding the
enemy outside the
castle, as an
escape…

20. • 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
• Trademen (blacksmith, knife grinders,
bakers, butchers etc.)

21.  Life in the Middle Ages was not easy. They
did not have comforts we have today.
 Castles were built around the idea of
defense, not luxury.
 They had few windows. They were stuffy in
summer, cold in winter, and dark always.

22. THANKS FOR
YOUR
ATENTION