The document discusses medieval castles and their architecture and defenses. It provides examples of Gothic and Renaissance castles in England. Castles evolved from wooden structures surrounded by dirt mounds in the early medieval period to stone structures with thick walls, turrets, and moats by the 12th century. It describes the typical parts of castles including keeps, great halls, armories, and defenses like crenelations, murder holes, and portcullises. Castles served as fortified homes for nobility and centers of governance and protection in the absence of strong central governments during the medieval period.

1. MEDIEVAL CASTLES!

8. Medieval Castle Example :Bodiam Castle
•Gothic Architecture originated in northern France in the twelfth century.
•Located in Sussex, England, Bodiam marks the beginning of a great departure from the Middle
Ages.
•Gothic architecture became prevalent in Western Europe around 1400.
•The Church was the most prolific Gothic builder of the Middle Ages.

9. Late Medieval / Early Renaissance Castle Example:
YORK MINSTER
l5th century characteristic of English Gothic, York Minster stretches out over
the city rooftops, a great horizontal structure almost 500 feet long. The
cathedral massing is varied, the transepts project strongly, and there is a
second set of transepts near the east end.

10. You think you know. . .You have NO idea

11. Due to a lack of a
strong central
government,
warfare was
frequent. As a
result, most nobles
build their own
fortified manor
houses.

12. The first castles were made of
wood, with log walls and mounds
of dirt packed around them.

14. The primary
purpose of
castles and
fortifications
was DEFENSE!
Several methods
were used to
protect the
people inside.

15. By 1100, castles
were made of
stone, with thick
walls and turrets
(small towers).
Most castles
were on hills and
surrounded by a
moat or ditch.

16. Castles were never
luxurious. They
were dirty and
cold, built only
for military
security. Even
animal slept
within the castle.

17. Noblemen were able to build and
maintain their castles by collecting
rent from their peasants in the
form of goods. They then sold the
goods for cash or bartered for
services (stonemasons, etc…).

18. The Nobleman
(Lord) had total
control in his
fief. He settled
disputes and
defended his
land with
whatever force
was necessary.

19. The noble Lady,
however, had
almost no
rights. Her job
was to raise
children. She
was often wed
as early as her
12th birthday!

20. The Lady was expected to do
needlework, producing fine
embroidery. They also made
medicines from herbs and other
plants.

21. All Castles Had Similar Parts

26. Windsor Castle (13 Acres)
Built by William the Conqueror

27. Castle walls had a place for
defenders to stand to ward off
attacks. There were crenelations to
protect the defenders.

28. Turret
A round tower
used for
protection and
guarding
“special guests.”

29. Wall Walk
The walk-way along the top of the castle wall.
Used for protection and defense

30. Keep
The yard inside the castle wall.

31. Great Hall
The main building inside the castle walls

32. Kitchen
Usually in separate small building somewhere
inside the castle keep. It was in a separate
building to prevent the incidence of fire from
burning down the entire castle.

33. Armory
A building inside the castle keep where weapons
were kept.

34. Dungeon

35. Ouibuliette
An underground dungeon only accessible
through a hole in the floor of a building inside
the castle keep.

36. Battering Ram
A weapon used to breakdown the walls of a
castle during a war or siege.

37. Murder Holes
3-4 holes in the wall walk above the main entry-way
of a castle. Used to drop tar/water/oil onto
would-be castle attackers.

38. Trebuchet
A war machine similar to the catapult. . .But,
capable of MUCH more damage. 

39. Ashlar
Blocks of smooth stone of any kind.

40. Belfrey
A tall, moveable,
tower used in
sieges.

41. Finial
A slender piece
of stone used to
decorate the
tops of towers.

42. Moat
A deep trench, usually filled with water (most
medieval people believed only witches could
swim), that surrounds a castle.

43. Portcullis
Vertical, sliding,
wooden/metal
grill suspended in
front of a gateway
(usually at the
main entrance to
a castle).

44. Postern Gate
A secondary gate or door to the castle. Used for
secret entrances and escapes during sieges.

45. Solar
The 2nd floor of a great hall. Usually, reserved
only for the Lord and Lady of the castle.

46. Aerial View -Example

47. References
• Some slides in the this presentation came from
– https://tie.wikispaces.com/file/view/Medieval+Castles.ppt
– https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=w
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Medieval_Life%2FCastles.ppt&ei=_hM4VOHVCM3HggTOl4CoAQ
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– https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=w
eb&cd=4&ved=0CDIQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.public.as
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