Castle Machicolations

Machicolations Definition

The word “Machicolations” comes from the old French word “Machecol” and was only given its English term “Machicolations” after the medieval period in the 18th Century. The French word Macheol means “to crush”.

File:Machicolations (PSF).png

These types of castle defences were commonly used in medieval France although they were used later in England on various castles such as Conwy Castle in Wales. The French also used Castle Machicolations over the Gateways mainly to protect the entrance area of the Castle.

raglan-castle-Gatehouse

Raglan Castle Gatehouse

Castle Machiolations *History

Castle Machiolations were only added to medieval castles in the later medieval periods from around the 11th century in the period when the Normans had conquered England.

Castle Machicolations were used on Norman and Plantagenet castles and made of stone, machicolations typically jutted out from the curtain wall of the castle wall, supported by decorative corbels.

mach

Castle Machicolations were openings in the floor between the corbels (Stone supports) of the castle’s battlement. The battlement was a small wall that was added for defensive purposes, medieval castle defenders could drop huge boulders, pour hot liquids, or literally anything that would maim and kill besieging soldiers.

Castle Machicolations - Castle Parts

Castle Machicolations

Corbels

Castle Machiolations were added to various parts of a castle, usually in the areas that would be commonly attacked like the castle entrance. These areas were supported by the stone corbels.

Types of Machicolations

Machicolations jutted out from the main castle wall so that the hole or gap would be directly over attacking soldiers below, in a siege or similar attack objects would be dropped that would badly injure or instantly kill the enemy below.

Castle Machicolations Murder Holes

Castle Machicolations *Murder Holes

Machicolations were usually constructed from stone, this made them strong, there was another earlier type of  Machicolation that was used in medieval times that was made of wood, this was called a “hoarding” this was quicker and easier to add to the castle and was probably used when the castle needed additional defences quickly but it was inferior to stone Machicolations as they were stronger, could take more weight and could not be burned.

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Machicolations and Murder Holes

According to some historians, the gaps in machicolations were not technically the same as murder holes, but they served a similar purpose; heavy stones, boiling liquids such as tar, water, and molten lead could be aimed at besieging soldiers through them.

Molton Lead

In a Siege situation especially if it was drawn out affair dead and diseased bodies of animals and human excrement could also be thrown through the Machicolations holes.


Famous Castles with Machicolations

Conwy Castle Machicolations

Conwy Castle had Castle Machicolations added around the 12th century, these Castle machicolations can still be viewed today.

Conwy Castle - Castle Parts

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle Official Website


Warwick Castle Machicolations

Warwick Castle is another magnificent Castle to Visit Machicolations and Murder Holes

Warwick Castle - Parts of a Castle

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle Official Website


Castle Machicolations are built into the French Chateau de Farcheville which was built in 1291 close to Paris

File:Chateau de Farcheville.jpg

Chateau de Farcheville Official Website

Famous castles with Castle Machicolations

Medieval castles that still include machicolations. Significant examples are:

Castle Machicolations Summary

Machicolations and the murder holes they provided were perfect for the defence of vulnerable parts of a medieval castle, the early Machicolations were commonly made from wooden hoardings that protruded from the main castle walls, they became more permanent stone fixtures that were part of the castle design in later Plantagenet and Norman periods.

Machicolations could be built into specific areas of the castle near vulnerable areas such as entrances, or be expanded out to cover most areas of the walls of the castle. Machicolations originated in France and were known as “Machecol” the murder holes also had the French name “Meutrieres”