MAKING HISTORY Castles had many defensive features:
(i) A moat and tall stone walls surrounded the castle. ● The moat was filled with water. The walls were called curtain walls.
(ii) Inside the wall there was a walk, which was protected by the battlements (raised parts on top of a wall to protect defenders). ● Soldiers shot arrows and spears from the battlements at attackers.
(iii) Towers (or turrets) were built at intervals along the wall to allow soldiers to shoot arrows through slits or loopholes.
(iv) A drawbridge and a portcullis protected the gate of the castle.
The keep was the most important building in the castle. It contained the great hall, which was a long room with the lord and lady’s table at the top. The keep was often cold and draughty.
It was easily defended: ● The door was raised above ground level. ● Inside there was a spiral (winding) staircase, which turned to the right, making it difficult for attacking soldiers to advance.
How were castles attacked?
It was very difficult for attacking armies to capture castles. Their best way was to capture it by surprise or with the help of a traitor inside. Otherwise they had to put the castle under siege (surround it).
● They built machines, including catapults, to fire rocks, fireballs and large arrows at the castle.
● They tried to fill the moat so that they could use scaling ladders and siege towers against the walls.