Over the next three centuries, wooden fortifications evolved into imposing stone walls. High parapets , or battlements , had narrow openings embrasures for shooting. By the 13th century, lofty stone towers were popping up across Europe. The Medieval castle at Penaranda de Duero , northern Spain is often how we imagine castles. People seeking protection from invading armies built villages around established castles. Local nobility took the safest residences for themselves — inside the castle walls.
Castles became homes, and also served as important political centers. As Europe moved into the Renaissance, the role of castles expanded. Some were used as military fortresses and were controlled by a monarch. Others were unfortified palaces, mansions, or manor homes and served no military function. Still others, like the plantation castles of Northern Ireland, were large homes, fortified to protect immigrants like the Scots from the resentful local Irish inhabitants.
The ruins of Tully Castle in County Fermanagh, uninhabited since attacked and destroyed in , exemplify the 17th century fortified house. Although Europe and Great Britain are famous for their castles, imposing fortresses and grand palaces have played an important role in most countries around the world. Japan is home to many impressive castles.
Even the United States claims hundreds of modern "castles" built by wealthy businessmen. Some of the homes built during America's Gilded Age resemble fortified habitations designed to keep out perceived enemies. A castle built as a military stronghold may be called a fort , fortress , stronghold , or stronghouse. A castle built as a home for nobility is a palace. In France, a castle built for nobility may be called a chateau the plural is chateaux.
From the Middle Ages to today's world, the planned communities and system of the social order of medieval life have become romanticized, transformed into a time of honor, chivalry, and other knightly virtues. America's fascination with wizardry didn't begin with Harry Potter or even " Camelot ".
Later still, Walt Disney placed the castle, modeled after Neuschwanstein in Germany, at the heart of his theme parks. The castle, or the fantasy of the "fortified habitation," has become part of our American culture. It has also influenced our architecture and house design. Watching a cricket match on the grounds of Castle Ashby, the casual travel might have little sense of the historical architecture in the background.
Design a castle that suits the needs of the document writers. Timeline of the 'life' of a castle. Download: Lesson pack What was their purpose and significance? Tasks Teachers' notes External links Connections to Curriculum The castle as we know it today was introduced into England in during the Norman invasion led by William the Conqueror.
After their victory at the Battle of Hastings, the Normans settled in England. They constructed castles all over the country in order to control their newly-won territory, and to pacify the Anglo-Saxon population. These early castles were mainly of motte and bailey type. These timber castles were quite cheap and very quick to build. However, the timber castles did have disadvantages. They were very vulnerable to attacks using fire and the wood would eventually start to rot. Due to these disadvantages, King William ordered that castles should be built in stone.
Many of the original timber castles were replaced with stone castles. Over time, stone castles were built in different architectural styles as builders experimented with castle-building techniques. In their infancy, castles were primarily military fortifications used to defend conquered territories from attack.
The strategic location of the castle was paramount. However, once the Normans began to consolidate their control over England, castles began to take on a variety of different roles. Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration. Castles were not only built and used by the crown. In fact, the majority of castles were granted by the king to his loyal lords and nobles along with large areas of land.
In return for these grants, the king expected his nobles to control and administer these lands on his behalf. The castle itself also represented a whole group of people who contributed to its function from constables, masons, blacksmiths and servants to name a few.
Use this lesson with original documents to find out more about the role of Framlingham, Portchester, Stokesay, Berwick, Alnwick, and Pevensey castles in medieval society. The purpose of this enquiry is to allow students to explore documents relating to the general function of castles.
If incoming attackers were able to infiltrate a castle then the majority would struggle to use their sword arms as they ascended any staircase. Of course, this would have no impact on any soldier who wielded a sword in his left hand. The leading water supply for a castle in times of both war and peace, wells were an incredibly vulnerable part of fortifications in the Middle Ages.
If the well had been built externally to the castle, one of the most successful methods of siege warfare would be to poison it, often with a decomposing corpse.
Without clean water, the castle would be forced to surrender. Windsor Castle, which is still used by the British royal family today, was originally built by William the Conqueror as a motte and bailey castle, and has subsequently been occupied by 39 reigning monarchs.
Under Edward, Windsor Castle hosted jousts, tilts and festivities to promote the popular cult of chivalry. The main secret entrance was known as the postern. The Parliamentarians then attacked the castle from both the inside and the outside simultaneously and the fortification soon fell.
Despite the elaborate design of castles and their impenetrable two-metre thick outer walls, the chosen location of a fortification was its most important form of defence and strategy. Some castles were built close to the sea, a location that served two purposes: not only did it enable the sighting of any incoming naval invasions, but it was hoped that imposing clifftop stone fortresses would help to repel unwanted invaders by demonstrating military strength.
Castles were also often built on hilltops. This ancient choice of location served the simple purpose of enabling its residents to see for miles around from a great height.
Any attackers could be easily spotted and preparations for defence put into place. Equally, if built at a great height, many castles would be logistically impossible to attack, for siege weapons such as trebuchets could not force their way close enough to the castle walls.
During the Albigensian Crusades of the 13th century, the complex served as a place of refuge for the persecuted Cathars, who came from nearby Carcassone. In , meanwhile, it consistently resisted the forceful attacks of Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester. TV A new online only channel for history lovers. Sign Me Up. There were four different types The first were Roman forts, reused by the Normans following their invasion of England.
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