Architecture
Parts of a Medieval Castle: The Curtain Wall
A castle’s Curtain Wall was a defensive wall between two towers or bastions.
A castle’s Curtain Wall was a defensive wall between two towers or bastions.
A castle’s Ward or Bailey is a courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall.
A castle’s Drawbridge lead to the gateway and could be raised to prevent entry into the fortification.
A castle’s Keep is the strongest portion of the fortification and the last resort in case of a siege or attack.
A castle’s Gatehouse was a fortified gateway, enclosing or entry control point to a building.
A castle’s tower was a fortified structure that provided flanking fire to a fortification.
A castle’s Battlement consisted of a parapet with gaps or indentations used for defence.
A castle’s moat was a deep and broad ditch, sometimes filled with water, that provides a line of defence.
A castle’s portcullis is a fortified grilled entrance made of strong wood and held vertically.
A castle’s barbican is a fortified outpost or gateway that works as an outer defense perimeter.
Middle Ages miners held very dangerous jobs in precarious environments to mine gold and silver.
Messengers in the Middle Ages were lesser diplomats that carried out dangerous but prestigious activities.
The Springald or Espringal was a mechanical artillery device used for throwing large bolts.
The Medieval Siege Tower was constructed to protect assailants when approaching the walls of a fortification.
The Battering Ram was a medieval siege engine designed to break masonry walls or fortifications.
The Faulds were pieces of plate armour worn below a breastplate to protect the waist and hips.
Medieval Bowyers crafted bows, crossbows, arrows, and bolts using a variety of woods and tools.
Medieval scribes wrote volumes of work and were often historians, poets, and philosophers.
The Sabaton or Solleret is the part of a knight’s armour that covers the foot.
The Rondel or Basegew is a circular piece of metal attached to a helmet, breastplate, or gauntlet.
The chain mail is a type of armour made of small rings liked together in a mesh.
The Mail Coif is a type of armour made of flexible chain mail and worn over the head.
The Spaulder is a piece of armour, typically a single plate of steel or iron, that covers the shoulder.
The Greave or Jambeau was a piece of armour used to protect the tibia from attacks.