Medieval Castle Parts –- Moats

In the medieval castle parts list, moats were of supreme importance. A medieval castle moat was basically a deep and wide ditch that surrounded the castle and served as a reliable protection against enemy assaults. The moat was usually filled with water which was one of the reasons why most castles were built near a water source such as a river or a stream. The depth of a medieval castle moat was usually around 30 feet and it measured around 12 feet in width.

Medieval Castle Parts – Ramparts

The second part in medieval castle parts list consisted of ramparts. Medieval castle ramparts were composed of a bank of earth serving the defensive purpose. A raised parapet was constructed on medieval castle ramparts which served as a protected fighting platform. During the late medieval times, medieval castle ramparts became the curtain walls of the concentric castles.

Medieval Castle Parts – Walls

Medieval castle walls were central to a castles defence and the width and type varied from castle to castle. It was common to build medieval castle walls of width ranging from 8 feet to 20 feet. At the top of the medieval castle walls were crenellation or parapets which served to defend the castle from above. There were also openings between the medieval castle walls and parapets which were used to throw stones and boiling liquid on the invading armies.

Medieval Castle Parts -Turrets

Another important component of medieval castle parts list was the turret. A turret was a small tower that was constructed at the edge of a medieval castle wall. Its main purpose, like most other components of medieval castle parts, was defence. During the middle medieval times, turrets were usually square shaped but during the late medieval times, circular shaped turrets became more popular because they provided a better line of sight for the archers defending the castle.

Medieval Castle Parts – Towers

In the defence of a medieval castle, towers played a central role. The main difference between a medieval castle tower and medieval castle turret was that the latter was constructed on the top of a wall while the former projected from the ground. Towers were mainly built of stone and included battlements and arrow loops for defence.

Medieval Castle Parts – Look Outs

Both medieval castle turrets and towers also served the purpose of a lookout watching for the invading armies. A constant watch was maintained on the towers and turrets to keep an eye for any approaching armies or anyone else. It was common to built at least one turret at the highest wall which served as the primary lookout point.

Medieval Castle Parts – Drawbridge

The Drawbridge was an important medieval castle part which was a movable bridge at the entrance of a castle above the moat. Since the medieval castles were defended by the moats, it was common to remove or destroy the drawbridge in the event of an attack. A Drawbridge could be removed either by ropes, pulleys and or chains. Sometimes simple manpower was used to remove them.

Medieval Castle Parts – Barbican

A medieval castle barbican was a kind of fortified outpost which acted as the outermost defence post for the castle. Medieval castle barbicans began to be constructed after the Normal Conquest of England in 1066 and continued to be very important till the 15th century, after which they gradually lost their importance due to considerable improvements in castle siege tactics.

Medieval Castle Parts – Battlements

The medieval castle battlements were of central importance in the defence of a castle. A medieval castle battlement consisted of a rampart which was built at the top of a castle walls and towers. There were specially designed gaps in the ramparts which served to release arrows, stones, or other missiles at the invading armies.

Medieval Castle Parts – Murder Holes

In the medieval castle parts, murder holes were also of primary defence value. A medieval castle murder hole was a large hole in the ceiling of the gateway of the castle and was used to throw various objects such as stones, tar, or boiling liquids on the invaders. Murder holes could also be built in the platforms similar to a balcony protruding from the outside walls of a castle.

Medieval Castle Parts – Round Towers

Building round towers instead of square towers became popular during the high and late medieval ages. The obvious advantage of a round tower over the square tower was that it provided a clear line of sight for the archers, thus making the defence of the castle easier. Another feature of primary importance was that, unlike the square shaped towers, round towers were relatively immune to tunnelling under the tower due to the absence of any corners required for tunnelling.

Medieval Castle Parts – Arrow and Gun Loops

Arrow-loops or arrow-slits were an inevitable part of medieval castle battlements and thus its defence. A medieval castle arrow-loop was a narrow opening in the medieval castle walls and towers and was used to launch arrows at the invading enemy. Arrow-loops were found in various forms although the most popular form was that of a cross.

Medieval Castle Parts – Machicolations

Another important feature of a medieval castle parts list is called a machicolation. Medieval castle machicolations were projecting platforms at the top of castle walls and usually protruded from the walls. At the floor of these platforms there were openings which could be used to drop stones and various other materials on the enemy. A machicolation could either run along the entire length of the wall or could be a small one like a balcony.

Medieval Castle Parts – Gatehouse

The Medieval castle parts list is incomplete without the medieval castle gatehouse. The medieval castle gatehouse was built at the entrance of a castle and acted as a minor fortification. It enclosed the gateway for the castle and usually also consisted of chambers for important guests.

Medieval Castle Parts Summary

These were some of the most important medieval castle parts that played central role in the defence of the castle. Since wars and invasions were very common during the medieval times, special attention was paid to construct multifaceted medieval castle parts for effective defence.