Writing Reference: Types Of Castles

Writing Reference: Types of Castles

As time went on, new technologies became available for attack and defense. Different types of castle were built to match them.

Motte and Bailey

Most common in: 10–11th century

Construction: wooden castle built on a mound (motte), surrounded by a fortified enclosure (bailey)

Strengths: quick and cheap to build

Weaknesses: vulnerable to attack by battering rams and fire

Concentric Defenses

Most common in: 12–15th century

Construction: central fortress, or keep, surrounded by layers of stone walls

Strengths: long lasting and very hard to break into

Weaknesses: took a long time to build; defenders could become trapped inside; vulnerable to cannon fire

Star Forts

Most common in: 16–20th century

Construction: stone or concrete

Strengths: angles deflect cannon fire, and allow defenders to fire on enemies from several sides

Weaknesses: modern high explosives

Castles were built all across the world, ranging from simple wooden enclosures to vast stone palaces.

A large number were built by feudal lords in Europe, who needed a place to keep their families and treasures safe from rivals while they were away at war.

The Crusaders depended on castles to protect their settlements in the Holy Land, where they might come under attack at any time.

With towering stone walls bristling with arrow slits, murder holes, and other defenses, castles were a formidable obstacle to any medieval invader.

At the center of the castle was the keep, a tall tower where the lord and his family made their home, and which could be defended even if the rest of the castle fell.

Around the keep were wards, open areas where the castle’s other inhabitants lived and worked, all protected by stone walls

Source ⚜ More: Parts of a Castle More References: Medieval Period