What did a feudal castle consist of? Knight's castle - a safe home in the Middle Ages. How much did the locks cost?
1 of 20
Presentation on the topic: Castles of the Feudal Lords
Slide no. 1
Slide description:
Slide no. 2
Slide description:
1. Castle of a feudal lord. At first, castles were built from wood, later from stone. Powerful walls with crenellated towers served as reliable protection. The castle was often built on a hill or high cliff, surrounded by a wide moat with water. Sometimes it was built on an island in the middle of a river or lake. A drawbridge was thrown across a ditch or channel, and it was raised on chains at night and during an enemy attack. From the tower above the gate, the guard constantly surveyed the surrounding area and, noticing an enemy in the distance, sounded an alarm. Then the warriors hurried to take their places on the walls and towers.
Slide no. 3
Slide description:
1. Castle of the feudal lord. To get into the castle, it was necessary to overcome many obstacles. The enemies had to fill up the ditch, overcome the hill in the open space, approach the walls, climb them using the assault ladders provided, or break the oak, iron-clad gates with a battering ram. The castle defenders threw stones and logs on the heads of the enemies, poured boiling water and hot tar, and threw spears , showered them with arrows. Often the attackers had to storm a second, even higher wall.
Slide no. 4
Slide description:
Slide no. 5
Slide description:
1. Castle of the feudal lord. The only iron door leading into the tower was located high above the ground. If you managed to break it, you had to fight for each floor. It was necessary to climb along ladders and through hatches that were closed with heavy stone slabs. In case the tower was captured, a spiral staircase was made in the thickness of the wall; along it, the owner of the castle, along with his family and soldiers, could descend into the saving underground passage.
Slide no. 6
Slide description:
2. Knight equipment. Military affairs became the occupation almost exclusively of feudal lords, and this was the case for many centuries. The feudal lord often fought all his life. The knight was armed with a large sword and a long spear; Often he also used a battle ax and a club - a heavy club with a thickened metal end. A knight could cover himself from head to toe with a large shield.
Slide no. 7
Slide description:
2. Knight equipment. The knight's body was protected by chain mail - a shirt woven from iron rings (sometimes in 2-3 layers) and reaching to the knees. Later, chain mail was replaced by armor - armor made of steel plates. The knight put a helmet on his head, and in a moment of danger he lowered a visor over his face - a metal plate with slits for the eyes. Knights fought on strong, hardy horses, which were also protected by armor. The knight was accompanied by a squire and several armed warriors, mounted and on foot - a whole “combat unit”.
Slide no. 8
Slide description:
2. Knight equipment. War horses, knight's equipment and travelers' equipment were very expensive. Therefore, a landowner who was provided with everything necessary by dependent peasants could perform knightly service. Feudal lords prepared for military service from childhood. They constantly practiced fencing, horse riding, wrestling, swimming and javelin throwing, and learned fighting techniques and tactics.
Slide no. 9
Slide description:
3. Entertainment of knights. Gentlemen rarely took care of household chores themselves. To do this, they kept managers in each estate. The feudal lords devoted most of their time to wars and military exercises, hunting and feasts. The knight's favorite pastimes - hunting and tournaments - were associated with military affairs. Hunting not only served as entertainment, but also helped replenish food supplies. During the hunt, one could show courage and dexterity: fighting an angry wild boar or a wounded bear was just as dangerous as fighting an enemy warrior, and chasing deer trained in horse riding.
Slide no. 10
Slide description:
3. Entertainment of knights. Tournaments - military competitions of knights in strength and dexterity - were organized by kings and noble feudal lords. Many spectators gathered there, sometimes from several countries. Noble gentlemen, judges and ladies sat in the stands, and ordinary people crowded behind the wooden barrier around the arena.
Slide no. 11
Slide description:
3. Entertainment of the knights. Special heralds - heralds - announced the names and mottos of the knights entering the battle. The tournament participants, dressed in combat armor, went to opposite ends of the arena. At a sign from the judge, they raced on horses towards each other. With a blunt tournament spear, the knight tried to knock the enemy out of the saddle. Sometimes the competition ended in serious injury or even death to the participants. The winner received as a reward the horse and armor of the defeated enemy. Occasionally, a battle broke out between two knightly detachments, which lined up in a chain.
Slide no. 12
Slide description:
3. Entertainment of knights. Usually the tournament ended with a feast. Conversely, ceremonial feasts on the occasion of victories, coronations, weddings and other important events for the nobility often included not only feasts and dances, but also tournament competitions. During such celebrations, knighting often took place, honors and awards were given out. In the evenings, the inhabitants of the castle gathered in the common room, where a huge fireplace was burning, played dice and chess, drank wine and beer, and resolved their family affairs. The monotonous life was interrupted by the arrival of guests and holidays. At feasts in castles, wine flowed like a river, tables were bursting under the weight of snacks. Animal carcasses were roasted whole in the hearths, on huge spits. The inhabitants of the castles and their guests were amused by jesters and dwarfs, invited artists and, of course, poets from among the retinue.
Slide no. 13
Slide description:
4. “Shame and disgrace are scary to me - not death.” The knights did not hesitate to rob the vanquished, their own peasants, and even travelers big roads. At the same time, the knight was supposed to despise prudence and frugality, but show generosity. Income received from peasants and military spoils were most often spent on gifts, feasts and treats for friends, hunting, expensive clothing, and the maintenance of servants and soldiers.
Slide no. 16
Slide description:
4. “Shame and disgrace are terrible for me - not death.” For others important quality A knight was considered to be loyal to the king and lord. This was his main responsibility. And treason imposed a stigma of shame on the entire family of the traitor. “Whoever betrays his lord must suffer punishment by right,” says one of the poems. Tales about knights glorified courage, daring, contempt for death, and nobility.
Slide no. 17
Slide description:
4. “Shame and disgrace are scary to me - not death.” This developed code (laws) of knightly honor also included other special rules: a knight must seek exploits, fight the enemies of the Christian faith, defend the honor of ladies, as well as the weak and offended, especially widows and orphans, be fair and gallant. But these rules of knighthood honor was used mainly in relations between feudal lords. The knights despised everyone who was considered “ignoble” and behaved arrogantly and cruelly towards them. However, in relations between “noble” people the rules of knightly honor were not always observed. In everyday life, in the family, with vassals and equals, many feudal lords were rude, cruel and unrestrained, greedy and stingy, and could dishonor a woman.
Slide no. 18
Slide description:
Raising a Knight Usually, from the age of seven, a boy left his father's castle and served as a page at the court of a noble feudal lord. He carried out various assignments for the lord and his family members. At the age of 15, the young man became a knight's squire. In the castle, he looked after the horses and hunting dogs, greeted guests, carried the knight’s armor during the campaign, and during the battle he was behind him in order to provide a spare weapon at any time. Only after long service or great feats were those who distinguished themselves knighted. During the holiday, the warrior knelt in front of the most noble of the guests, and he struck with the palm of his hand on the back of the head or with the blade of a sword flat on the back or shoulder - the only blow in his life that a knight could receive without repaying it. Then the knight put on spurs and girded himself with a sword. The ceremony ended with a display of the knight's agility: jumping on his horse, he tried to pierce the target with a spear at full speed. But knighting often took place on the battlefield, for demonstrated military valor and loyalty.
Slide no. 19
Slide description:
The instigator's trumpet sends an arrogant challenge, And the knight's trumpet sings in response, The clearing echoes them and the firmament. The riders lowered the visor, And the shafts are attached to the shells; So the horses rushed, and finally the fighter came close to the fighter. Dryden, “Palamon and Arsita” By the voice one recognized the other. They met in the middle of the field. Both of them use spears, the enemy is hit in the patterned shield, he is pierced under the thick pommel, the floors of the chain mail are torn apart, but both remain unharmed. The girths of their saddles burst. The fighters fell from their horses to the ground sideways, But they immediately jumped to their feet deftly, They threw away their damask swords, To continue the combat again, Only death would put an end to it. From “The Song of Roland” (XII century).
Slide no. 20
Slide description:
Caesar of Heisterbach. Dialogue about miracles. XIII century. A story about one of the German knights. “This knight’s name was Ludolf. This was a real tyrant. One day he was riding along the road on horseback in a new purple dress, and he met a peasant riding on a cart. The mud splashed from under the wheels stained his clothes, and then this knight, full of pride, beside himself with anger, pulled out a sword and cut off the peasant’s hand.” Transl. from Latin // Devyataikina N. I. History of the Middle Ages: sources, tasks, games. P. 93
When you think of medieval castles, picturesque walls covered in ivy, beautiful ladies in high towers and noble knights in shining armor come to mind. But it was not these sublime images that motivated the feudal lords to build impregnable walls with loopholes, but the harsh reality.
Who owned castles in the Middle Ages?
During the Middle Ages, Europe experienced many changes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the processes of resettlement of peoples began, new kingdoms and states emerged. All this was accompanied by constant conflicts and strife.
Nobleman-feudal lord, who had a knighthood, to protect himself from enemies, and they could even be his closest neighbors, was forced to strengthen his home as much as possible and build a castle.
Wikipedia suggests distinguishing between a castle and a fortress. A fortress is a walled area land with houses and other buildings. The castle is smaller in size. This is a single structure that includes walls, towers, bridges and other structures.
The castle was the private fortress of a noble lord and his family. In addition to the direct function of protection, it was an indicator of power and well-being. But not all knights could afford it. The owner could be an entire knightly order - a community of warriors.
How and from what materials were medieval castles built?
Building a real castle was a time-consuming and costly procedure. All work was done by hand and sometimes lasted for decades.
Before construction began, it was necessary to select a suitable location. The most impenetrable castles were built on the cliffs of steep rocks. However, more often they chose a hill with open review and a river nearby. The waterway was necessary to fill ditches and was also used as a route for transporting goods.
A deep ditch was dug on the ground and an embankment was formed. Then the walls were erected using scaffolding.
The challenge was building the well. We had to dig deep down or chisel the rock.
Selection of material for construction depended on many factors. Of decisive importance were:
- terrain;
- human resources;
- budget.
If there was a quarry nearby, the structure was built from stone; otherwise, wood, sand, limestone or brick were used. For the outside we used facing materials, for example, processed stone. The wall elements were connected using lime mortar.
Although glass was known in those days, it was not used in castles. Narrow windows were covered with mica, leather or parchment. Inside the living quarters of the castle owners, the walls were often covered with frescoes and hung with tapestries. In the remaining rooms they limited themselves to a layer of lime or left the masonry untouched.
What elements did the castles consist of?
Exact lock configuration depended on local traditions, landscape, and wealth of the owner. Over time, new engineering solutions appeared. Previously built structures were often completed and rebuilt. Among all the Medieval fortifications, several traditional elements can be distinguished.
Ditch, bridge and gate
The castle was surrounded by a moat. If there was a river nearby, it was flooded. At the bottom they made wolf pits - depressions with stakes or sharp rods.
It was possible to get inside through the moat only with the help of a bridge. Huge logs served as supports. Part of the bridge rose and blocked the passage inside. The mechanism of the drawbridge was designed in such a way that 2 guards could handle it. In some castles the bridge had a swing mechanism.
The gates were double doors and closed a cross beam that slid into the wall. Although they were knocked together from several words of strong boards and upholstered with iron, the gates remained the most vulnerable part of the structure. They were protected by a gate tower with a guard room. The entrance to the castle turned into a long narrow passage with holes in the ceiling and walls. If the enemy was inside, a stream of boiling water or resin was poured on him.
In addition to wooden gates, there was often a lattice, which was closed using a winch and ropes. In an emergency, the ropes were cut off and the barrier fell sharply.
An additional element of gate protection was the barbican - walls extending from the gate. Opponents had to squeeze in into the passage between them under a hail of arrows.
Walls and towers
The height of the walls of the medieval fortification reached 25 meters. They had a powerful base and withstood the blows of battering guns. The deep foundation was designed to protect against undermining. The thickness of the walls decreased towards the top, they became sloping. At the top there was a platform behind the teeth. While on it, the defenders fired at enemies through slit-like openings, threw stones down or poured out tar.
Double walls were often built . Overcoming the first obstacle, the opponents found themselves in a narrow space in front of the second wall, where they became easy prey for archers.
At the corners of the perimeter there were watchtowers, which protruded forward in relation to the wall. Inside they were divided into floors, each of which was a separate room. In large castles, the towers had a vertical partition for strengthening.
All the stairs in the towers were spiral and very steep. If the enemy penetrated into the internal territory, the defender had an advantage and could throw the aggressor down. Initially, the towers had a rectangular shape. But this interfered with the view during defense. They were replaced by round buildings.
Behind the main gate there was a narrow courtyard, which was well covered by fire.
Rest of interior space The castle was occupied by buildings. Among them:
In large knightly castles there was a vegetable garden, and sometimes a whole garden, inside.
The central and most fortified structure of any castle is the donjon tower. In the lower part there was a storage room with food supplies and an arsenal with weapons and equipment. Above there was a guard room and a kitchen. The upper part was occupied by the home of the owner and his family. A throwing weapon or catapult was installed on the roof. The outer walls of the donjon had small projections. There were restrooms there. The holes opened outwards and waste fell down. Underground passages could lead from the donjon to the shelter or neighboring buildings.
Mandatory elements of a castle in the Middle Ages there was a church or chapel. It could be located in the central tower or be a separate building.
The castle could not do without a well. In the absence of a water source, the inhabitants would not have lasted even a few days during the siege. The well was protected by a separate building.
Living conditions in the castle
The castle provided the need for security. However, its inhabitants often had to neglect other benefits.
Little light penetrated into the premises, since the windows were replaced by narrow loopholes, which were covered with dense materials. The living rooms were heated with fireplaces, but this did not save them from the dank damp and cold. In the harsh winter the walls froze through. Using latrines during the cold season was especially uncomfortable.
Residents often had to neglect hygiene. Most of the water from the well was used to maintain vital functions and care for animals.
Over time, the structure of castles became more complex and new elements appeared. However, the development of gunpowder weapons deprived castles of their main advantage - inaccessibility. They were replaced by fortresses with more complex engineering solutions.
Gradually, medieval castles, many of which have survived to our times, turned into architectural monuments and reminiscent of the era of chivalry.
The castles of the feudal lords are still turning back buried glances. It is important to believe that in these ancient Kazakh disputes life flowed: people organized households, seduced children, and talked about tributes. Many castles of the feudal lords of Middle East are protected by the powers in which they are located, and their architecture is unique. However, all these disputes have a number of different types, and their functions were the same and depended on the way of life and the sovereign essence of the feudal lord.
Feudal lords: who stinks?
Let’s first talk about how, having looked at the feudal lord’s castle, let’s take a look at what kind of class it is in the middle nobility. The European powers were then monarchies, protey king, who were worth the pinnacle of power, with little power. Vlada was in the hands of so-called lords - they were feudal lords. Moreover, in the middle of this system there was also a hierarchy, which is the name of the feudal sheath. On the lower tier stood the faces. The feudal lords, who were in high places, were called vassals, and the vassal's vassals were kept exclusively for the long-term gatherings.
The lord had a territory on which there was a feudal lord's castle, a description of which will be clearly described below. Also, the vassals and villagers lived here. In this way, there was a power within a power. This is the situation in Europe , called feudal fragmentation, which greatly weakened the region.
The wars between the feudal lords were not always good-natured, and the warlords between them were not alone when they tried to conquer territory. The Volodinian feudal lord was sure to be well fortified and protected from attack. Its functions are discussed in the front part.
Basic functions of the lock
The most important “castle” is a respected architectural phenomenon, as it is part of the government’s and defense buildings.
Coming from this, the castle of the feudal lord in Serednyovychchya acquired offensive functions:
1. Viyskova. The military force was not only obliged to kidnap the merchants (the ruler himself and his family), but also servants, fellow soldiers, and vassals. In addition, the headquarters of military operations were located here.
2. Administrative. The castles of the feudal lords were their centers, and since then the land was being taken over.
3. Political. State nutrition was also distributed among the Volodymyr lords, and was given entrusted to the local authorities.
4. Cultural. The atmosphere in the castle allowed us to listen to the latest trends in fashion - be it clothes, art or music. Whose food was always oriented towards their lord.
5. Gospodarska. The castle was a center for villagers and craftsmen. There was both administrative food and trade.
It would be incorrect to describe the feudal lord’s castle, which is described in this article, and the fortress. Understand the principles of dignity among them. The forts of the call were to be seized not only by the rulers of the territory, but also by all the merchants without guilt, since the castle was a fortification dispute, including for the feudal lord who lives in the new world, and the very closest vassals.
The fortress is a valuable piece of land, and the castle is in a state of disrepair with a damaged infrastructure, where the leather element plays its main function.
Prototypes of feudal castles
The first buds of this kind appeared in Assyria, then established this tradition in Ancient Rome. And after the feudal lords of Europe - mainly Great Britain, France and Spain - began the everyday life of their deputies kiv. It was often possible to find such things in Palestine, even In the 12th century, at the height of the Crusades, it was obvious that the newly won lands had to be seized and protected due to the creation of special disputes.
The trend of suburban construction comes at the same time with feudal fragmentation, as European powers become centralized. That’s right, now you can not be afraid of the attacks of the susida, having become concerned about someone else’s.
Individuality, quality, and functionality are gradually compromised by the place of aesthetic storage.
External description
Before that, the structural elements are revealed, as if looking at the castle of a feudal lord in the Middle Century. The first thing that fell into the eyes is a center that covers the entire territory on which a monumental dispute stood. Next there was a wall with small towers for stopping the enemy.
The castle has only one entrance - the entrance area, and then the entrance grate. Above all the other towers hung a head tower or a donjon. In the courtyard outside the gates, the necessary infrastructure was also being developed: a workshop, a forge and a mill.
It should be said that the place for the future was chosen carefully, and the fault was either a high mountain, a mountain, or a mountain. Well, if it was possible to choose a territory where I wanted a natural body of water to lie on one side - a river or a lake. This means that similar nests of birds and castles (photo for example below) - both were famous for their inaccessibility. 
Pagorb for the castle
Let's take a closer look at the structural elements of the discussion. The crown of the castle is a height of regular shape. As a rule, the surface is square. The height of the hump ranged from five to ten meters on average, whatever the mark.
Particular respect was given to the breed for which they formed a springboard for the castle. As a rule, clay was vikorized, as well as peat and vapnyak rocks. They took material from pits that they dug near the top for greater security.
The floorings were made according to the schemes of the pagorba, wyconan with khmizu or planks. Immediately I decided to go and go.
Riv
In order to increase the pressure of a potential enemy at any time, as well as to create a tight transport system, a necessary deep river of water, an operating hill on which the locks were moved. The photo shows how the system functioned. 
It was imperative to fill the river with water - this ensured that the enemy would not dig into the territory of the castle. Water was most often supplied from natural water, distributed by order. The river had to be regularly cleaned to remove dirt, we are tired and cannot completely abandon our functions .
The fallouts were also unique when logs or stakes were installed in the bottom, which affected the crossing. For the ruler of the castle, his family, his subjects and guests, there is a transfer place that goes directly to the gate.
Gates
In addition to their direct function, the gates were designed and a number of others. The castles of the feudal lords had a low history of thefts, and it was not so easy to seize the taxes.
The gate was secured with a special large grating, which looks like a wooden frame with heavy-duty climbing rods. When necessary, the gate was lowered to cover the gate.
Krim okhorontsіv, to stand near the entrance, both of them, on the fortress wall, two towers were erected for a quick look (the area around the entrance was the so-called “blind zone”. Not only warts were erected here, but also cherguvali archers.
Perhaps the most vulnerable part of the thief was the little one - the urgent need for her protection arose in the dark hour of the hunt, even the entrance to the castle was closed for the night. In this manner, it was possible to unfasten everyone who entered the territory at an “before hours” hour.
Internal door
By going through security control at the entrance and checking for security at the inner door, you could prevent the hassle of life in the feudal lord's castle. All the main rulers' disputes and work were in full swing here: warriors trained, farriers forged buckwheat, craftsmen prepared necessary household items, servants forged their tongues. There was also a well with drinking water.
The area of the courtyard was not large, which made it possible to keep track of everything that could be seen on the territory of the Lord's Volodymyr.
Donjon
The element that always catches your eye when you look at the castle is the donjon. This is the greatest vezha, the heart of a feudal lord. It was growing in the most inaccessible place, and the thickness of its walls was such that it was even more difficult to destroy it. This hedge provided the ability to keep track of the surroundings and fulfilled the function of the remaining door. If the enemies broke through all the lines of defense, the population of the castle hid in the donjon and the curtain was visible. At the same time, the donjon was not only a defensive vessel: here, on the greatest level, the feudal lord and his family lived. Below are servants and warriors. Often in the middle of this dispute there was a well.
The very bottom is a majestic hall where banquets were held. At the oak table, bursting with all sorts of herbs, sat the feudal lord’s squad and himself.
Great internal architecture: between the walls there were guarded gangways, through which it was possible to move between the levels. 
Moreover, the skin from the surfaces is independent from the front and the front. This ensured additional security.
Supplies of corn, food and drink were kept at the donjon for emergency use. Products were trimmed as best as possible, so that this feudal lord would be provided for and would not go hungry.
And now let’s look at one more thing: how comfortable were the castles of feudal lords? Unfortunately, this kindness suffered. Analyzing the story about the feudal lord's castle, based on the word of an eyewitness (mandrivnik, who saw one of the similar sights), you can learn that it was very cold there. No matter how much the servants tried to heat the premises, nothing would come of it, and the halls would become so majestic. This also meant the presence of a quiet house and the same type of rooms.
Stina
The least important part of the castle, like Volodya's middle feudal lord, was the fortress wall. Vona left the pagorb, on which the head of the sporuda stood. Special advantages were hanging on the walls: significant height (so it was not enough for the tax) and importance, and even for the assault, not only human resources, but also special equipment were often used. The average statistical parameters of such spores are: 12 m in height and 3 m in thickness. Enemy, what's wrong?
At the end of the wall there were observation towers, in which warts and archers stood. The area around the castle bridge also had special places on the walls so that the guards could effectively repel the attack of the attackers.
In addition, along the entire perimeter of the wall, at the very top, there was a gallery for defense soldiers.
Stay in the castle
How did life go in the middle-class castle? The other people after the feudal lord were the hardy ones, who were in the form of the sovereign rulers of the villages and craftsmen who worked in the territories. These people believed how many products were harvested and brought, how much money the vassals paid for the plundering of the land. Often the worker worked in tandem with the clerk. Sometimes it was possible for them to be located on the territory of the castle. 
The staff of servants includes the most important servants who assist the masters and masters, including a cook with assistant cooks, a baker - a person who is responsible for heating the place, a farrier and a saddler. The number of servants was directly proportional to the size of the castle and the status of the feudal lord.
The greatness of the place had to be burnt with great importance. The stone walls were very cold at night, in addition, the stench strongly absorbed moisture. Therefore, the rooms were always gray and cold. Naturally, the grubniks tried to maintain the warmth, but this was not always the case. Particularly possible feudal lords could afford the walls with wood or kilims, tapestries. To save more heat, they were kept small.
For scorching, the firewood stoves that were in the kitchen were used, so that the heat spreads to the adjacent rooms. The outlet of the pipes made it possible to burn other rooms of the castle. Kettle stoves created special comfort for the feudal lords. A special material (scorched clay) made it possible to heat large areas and retain heat better.
We were eating in the castle
Great diet of food for the castle residents. Here social inequality was at its worst. Most of the menu consisted of clear herbs. Moreover, they included good veal and pork. 
No less important place on the feudal lord's table was occupied by agricultural products: bread, wine, beer, porridge. The trend was in the future: the more important the feudal lord, the lighter the bread on his table. It’s no secret what lies beneath the berry berry. The number of grain products was the maximum, and meat, fish, fruits, berries and vegetables were the least acceptable additions.
A special feature of the preparation of hedgehogs in Serednyovichi was the addition of vikoristan seasonings. And here the nobility could afford more, the lower villagers. For example, African or distant spices, such as for their versatility (for their small capacity) were not sacrificed to large scales.
- Replacement of the ballet "Raymonda": creators, replacement of each act
- What did they do and how did the stinks appear?
- Republic of Ireland: monuments, history, photos
There are few things in the world more interesting than the knightly castles of the Middle Ages: these majestic fortresses breathe evidence of distant eras with grandiose battles, they have seen both the most perfect nobility and the most vile betrayal. And not only historians and military experts are trying to unravel the secrets of ancient fortifications. The Knight's Castle is of interest to everyone - the writer and the layman, the avid tourist and the simple housewife. This is, so to speak, a mass artistic image.
How the idea was born
A very turbulent time - in addition to major wars, the feudal lords were constantly fighting with each other. Like a neighbor, so it doesn't get boring. The aristocrats fortified their homes against invasion: at first they would only dig a ditch in front of the entrance and put up a wooden palisade. As they gained siege experience, the fortifications became more and more powerful - so that they could withstand rams and were not afraid of stone cannonballs. In antiquity, this is how the Romans surrounded their army with a palisade while on vacation. The Normans began to build stone structures, and only in the 12th century did the classic European knightly castles of the Middle Ages appear.
Transformation into a fortress
Gradually the castle turned into a fortress; it was surrounded by a stone wall into which tall towers. The main goal is to make the knight's castle inaccessible to attackers. At the same time, be able to monitor the entire area. The castle must have its own source drinking water- suddenly a long siege awaits.
The towers were built in such a way as to hold off any number of enemies for as long as possible, even alone. For example, they are narrow and so steep that the warrior coming second cannot help the first in any way - neither with a sword nor with a spear. And you had to climb them counterclockwise so as not to cover yourself with a shield.
Try logging in!
Imagine a mountainside on which a knight's castle is built. Photo attached. Such structures were always built at a height, and if there was no natural suitable landscape, they made a bulk hill.
A knight's castle in the Middle Ages was not only about knights and feudal lords. Near and around the castle there were always small settlements where all kinds of artisans settled and, of course, warriors guarding the perimeter.
Those walking along the road always face their right side towards the fortress, the side that cannot be covered by a shield. There is no tall vegetation - there is no hiding. The first obstacle is the ditch. It can be around the castle or across between the castle wall and the plateau, even crescent-shaped, if the terrain allows.
There are dividing ditches even within the castle: if the enemy suddenly managed to break through, movement will be very difficult. If the soil is rocky, a ditch is not needed and digging under the wall is impossible. The earthen rampart directly in front of the ditch was often surrounded by a palisade.
The bridge to the outer wall was made in such a way that the defense of a knight's castle in the Middle Ages could last for years. It's liftable. Either the whole thing or its extreme segment. In the raised position - vertically - this is additional protection for the gate. If part of the bridge was raised, the other was automatically lowered into the ditch, where a “wolf pit” was set up - a surprise for the most hasty attackers. The knight's castle in the Middle Ages was not hospitable to everyone.
Gate and gate tower
The knightly castles of the Middle Ages were most vulnerable precisely in the area of the gate. Latecomers could enter the castle through a side gate via a lifting ladder if the bridge was already raised. The gates themselves were most often not built into the wall, but were located in gate towers. Usually double doors, made of several layers of boards, were sheathed with iron to protect against arson.
Locks, bolts, cross beams sliding across the opposite wall - all this helped hold out the siege for quite a long time. In addition, behind the gate there was usually a strong iron or wooden grille. This is how knightly castles of the Middle Ages were equipped!
The gate tower was designed so that the guards guarding it could find out from the guests the purpose of the visit and, if necessary, treat them with an arrow from a vertical loophole. For a real siege, there were also built-in holes for boiling resin.
Defense of a knight's castle in the Middle Ages
The most important defensive element. It should be tall, thick and better if it is on the base at an angle. The foundation under it is as deep as possible - in case of undermining.
Sometimes there is a double wall. Next to the first high one, the inner one is small, but impregnable without devices (ladders and poles that remained outside). The space between the walls - the so-called zwinger - is shot through.
The outer wall at the top is equipped for the defenders of the fortress, sometimes even with a canopy from the weather. The teeth on it existed not only for beauty - it was convenient to hide behind them at full height in order to reload, for example, a crossbow.
The loopholes in the wall were adapted for both archers and crossbowmen: narrow and long for a bow, widened for a crossbow. Ball loopholes - a fixed but rotating ball with a slot for firing. Balconies were built mainly for decorative purposes, but if the wall was narrow, they were used by retreating and allowing others to pass.
Medieval knight towers were almost always built with convex towers at the corners. They protruded outward to fire along the walls in both directions. The inner side was open so that the enemy, who penetrated the walls, would not gain a foothold inside the tower.
What's inside?
In addition to the Zwingers, other surprises could await uninvited guests outside the gates. For example, a small closed courtyard with loopholes in the walls. Sometimes castles were built from several autonomous sections with strong internal walls.
Inside the castle there was always a courtyard with household facilities - a well, a bakery, a bathhouse, a kitchen and a donjon - the central tower. Much depended on the location of the well: not only the health, but also the life of the besieged. It happened that (remember that the castle, if not just on a hill, then on the rocks) cost more than all the other buildings of the castle. The Thuringian castle Kuffhäuser, for example, has a well more than one hundred and forty meters deep. In the rock!
Central tower
The donjon is the tallest building of the castle. From there the surrounding area was monitored. And it is the central tower that is the last refuge of the besieged. The most reliable! The walls are very thick. The entrance is extremely narrow and located at a high altitude. The stairs leading to the door could be pulled in or destroyed. Then the knight's castle can hold a siege for quite a long time.
At the base of the donjon there was a basement, a kitchen, and a storage room. Next came floors with stone or wooden floors. The stairs were made of wood; if they had stone ceilings, they could be burned to stop the enemy on the way.
The main hall was located on the entire floor. Heated by a fireplace. Above were usually the rooms of the castle owner's family. There were small stoves decorated with tiles.
At the very top of the tower, most often open, there is a platform for a catapult and, most importantly, a banner! Medieval knightly castles were distinguished not only by chivalry. There were cases when a knight and his family did not use the donjon for housing, having built it not far from it stone palace(palace). Then the donjon served as a warehouse, even a prison.
And, of course, every knight's castle necessarily had a temple. The obligatory inhabitant of the castle is the chaplain. Often he is both a clerk and a teacher, in addition to his main job. In rich castles, churches were two-story, so that the gentlemen would not pray next to the mob. The owner's ancestral tomb was also built within the temple.
