LESSON 3.5 What were the defence features of the medieval castle?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to: • describe the features of castles and how they protected society
Tune in Castles were not just homes to those at the very top of feudal society, but fortresses designed to protect those inside the castle walls. Study SOURCE1 . 1. Create a list of all the features that are protecting the castle. 2. Discuss how these features protect the castle. 3. Predict why fortresses became outdated.
SOURCE1 Ruin of a medieval Scottish castle fort
3.5.1 Building a castle During medieval times, castles were built to protect the monarch’s or lord’s land. They had features like high walls that made it hard for enemies to invade. If conquered, castles could be used by invaders to control the land. Castle walls were so effective that they were even built around some towns and cities. The first castles appeared in the 11th century, usually made from timber and built on a high mound called a motte , surrounded by a ditch. If near a river, the ditch could be filled with water to create a moat . The innermost tower was called the keep , protected by palisades and walls called baileys. By the end of the 11th century, timber was replaced with stone or brick. The easiest place to build a castle was on flat ground, but they were often built on hills or cliffs for better defense and control over the surrounding area. A high position made it easier to spot and defend against attackers. Castles on islands in rivers or lakes had advantages too, like forcing merchants to pay taxes and ensuring a water supply during sieges. 3.5.2 Attacking a castle Attacking a castle was a formidable challenge. As castle designs evolved, they incorporated more defensive features. Concentric curtain walls, like those at Marienburg Castle in Poland, forced attackers to breach multiple layers. Drawbridges could be raised to block access, and defenders launched arrows, rocks, and boiling oil from the walls. Attackers used siege engines like battering rams and siege towers. Sieges often lasted months, with defenders relying on stored food and protected water supplies from wells in the inner courtyard.
TOPIC3 Medieval Europe 63
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