Its function was to protect what we would call the castle’s ‘front door’. Barbican – a tower, or the length of wall, at a castle bridge or gate.Moat – a deep man-made ditch surrounding the castle, that may or may not contain water.You may have heard of the more common security features during Medieval times: the moat, barbican, and the curtain wall. Regardless of whether a castle had a keep or not, medieval architects were clever and added features to increase the castle’s defense. Keepless castles were usually square or rectangular courts, surrounded by large walls with towers in each corner. Bonaguil: an example of a keepless castle in rural France. The keepless castles are what the name implies-there is no highest point towers are equal in height. If you were part of the nobleman’s family and were being invaded, you would go to the keep. Usually located at the highest point of a castle, the keep was a heavily guarded tower that could only be accessed by narrow staircases leading to each level. The keep, also called the donjon, in France, was considered the safest place in the castle. Medieval castles were classified as either ‘keep’ or ‘keepless’. As time went on and weapons evolved, castles had to evolve into what we would now consider militarized fortresses. Earlier castles were very simple structures set on hills, near rivers or mountain passes, allowing the inhabitants to see invaders coming. Medieval times, or the Middle ages, spanned from the 5 th century through the late 15 th century however, the first documented castle didn’t appear until the 9 th century. But did you know that they were also used as public gathering spaces or to hold religious services? Given the era, they were likely used more for religious services, as religion played a significant role in daily life. Whenever possible, I share the names and locations of castles that are still standing today.Ĭastles are structures whose primary reason for being is as a defense against invasion. Join me in this five-part series where we’ll journey from this introductory article through to the architecture and history of castles from medieval times. Welcome to this mini-series: Medieval Castles - Almost everything you wanted to know. I wanted to learn more-which got me thinking, maybe there are other people who share my fascination. It’s easy to see how one can be fascinated by such buildings-the architecture, the history, the folklore. And somewhere inside that magical building is a handsome prince or beautiful princess. Once upon a time, in a castle far, far away… How many classic fairytales start with these words? Picture a large, gray stone building with cylindrical towers in each corner, a drawbridge over a moat, and knights guarding the entrance. Vie Française Immerse yourself in insider stories & interviews – pick up valuable tips & advice on mastering the French language and living the French dream wherever you live….Reportage + Société Stay informed & try to understand what’s happening in France – News, sport, politics, even the gossip behind it all – Explore problems & paradoxes of today’s cultural & social issues….Mode + Beauté Indulge, obsess, celebrate & enjoy stories, interviews, tips & advice about the extraordinary world of French fashion, beauty, interiors and much, much more….Gastronomie Indulge in wonderful French food & wine in person or vicariously – where to find the foodie haunts – share recipes – tips & advice….Escapades Discover little known places in France – Learn from insider experiences, tips & advice – Plan your trip, where to go, stay, what to see & even what to pack – Be a traveller not a tourist….Arts + Culture Enrich your life through stories, interviews, info & tips about the world of French art, theatre, music, film, architecture, design, photography etc – stay informed – what’s on where and when….
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