Late Medieval Castles: Evolution of Fortresses in the Middle Ages

During the early medieval period, one of the most common types of fortification was the motte-and-bailey castle—a design that combined a wooden keep built on a raised earth mound (the motte) with an enclosed courtyard (the bailey) protected by a wooden palisade and ditch. These early castles were quick to construct and provided strong defensive positions, making them highly effective for controlling territory and responding to threats. However, their wooden construction made them extremely vulnerable to fire and decay, leading to their eventual replacement by more durable stone castles as medieval military architecture advanced.

This and other requirements evolved the early medieval castle designs and by the late 12th century, new kinds of castles were being erected all over Europe. These can essentially be categorised as high to late medieval period castles. Such castles were built from stone, included many new design elements, were typically larger in size, and were far more formidable in terms of military fortifications.

Evolution of Medieval Castles

Until the 12th century, the timber castles survived alongside the stone castles. But by the late 12th century, medieval castles were increasingly being built with stone. This was necessitated by a number of factors. The primary reason for the decline in the popularity of early medieval motte-and-bailey castles was their wooden construction.

Such construction wasn’t durable and was more vulnerable during an attack. As a result, stone emerged as a more useful and durable ingredient for castle-building. With the increasingly widespread use of stone, the lords who commissioned the building of castles envisioned newer designs. The exposure of European regions to each other and outside attackers also significantly contributed to the evolution of late medieval castles.

Late Medieval Period Castles Design

From the 12th century onwards, medieval castles were typically more elaborate in their outlook and more militarily formidable. Nearly all notable castles from the 12th century to the end of the medieval period were made in stone. By the 12th century, the design of stone castles included the use of a great keep and the towers flanking the external curtain wall.

These innovations contributed to the subsequent 13th-century innovations in design. By the 13th century, different European regions had been exposed to the Crusading efforts and had also withstood different other attackers. Such military experience led to the evolution of concentric designs of castles.

Concentric castles were one of the most notable design developments in later medieval castles and had walls within walls to provide extra defensive capabilities.

Concentric Castle Designs

Concentric castles were first constructed in different parts of Europe by notable Crusader Military Orders such as the Teutonic Knights and the Knights Templar. These Orders effectively used such castles as a defence against different attackers, especially Islamic forces.

Concentric castles are typically comprised of multiple rings of walls surrounding a circular inner keep. Each inner wall was higher to help the defenders from all walls attack the enemies. Between each wall was a brief space where the defenders could attack the invaders even if they breached the outer wall.

Each wall was further fortified by linking with a number of towers, greatly augmenting the defences of a castle. Concentric castles proved very effective in military terms and were highly defensible.

Edward I of England had been on the Crusades and observed such castles during his Crusading period. He borrowed the concept and implemented it in his campaigns in the region of Wales, effectively cementing his control of Wales with such secure castles during the 13th century.

Medieval Castles Fast Facts

• • • • Early Motte and Bailey Castles were mostly made from wood which was easily destroyed by fire
      • From the 12th Century onwards there were major advancements in the designs of medieval castles
      • Stone Castles were introduced that were stronger, could withstand fire, and allowed for evolution in castle design

• • • • Nearly all medieval castles built from the 12th century were made from stone
      • New parts were built into these stone castles curtain walls such as keeps and towers
        

• • • • Concentric castles designs that were discovered by the European crusaders were brought back to Europe
      • The Concentric castle design of walls within walls was a major defensive advancement in castle design

• • • • Concentric castle design would become the preferred style in Europe as they were defensively superior to older types
        
      • The Concentric castle design was established by military orders such as the Knights Templar during the crusades