Medieval Castle Architecture
Medieval Castles Castles were a vital part of medieval life. The architecture of these large dwellings was designed for military purposes. Life inside of a castle was extremely busy and smelly, as well as crowded. Famous medieval castles include Dover castle, the Tower of London, and Windsor castle. The architecture of a medieval castle was based on the need for military protection, rather than comfort and style. A “motte and bailey” style was commonly used as a layout for the grounds. This consisted of a raised mound made of earth that was typically unnatural, or man made and the bailey was the courtyard below the motte, which was enclosed by a ditch, or a moat, and a palisade (James). Many castles were also built in strategic locations
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to help protect themselves from invaders. For example, a multitude of castles were built either on a mountain, or large hill, and a significant number were built in close proximity to a large body of water. These locations were ideal because it was easier to see an oncoming attack and prepare for adequate defenses.
Castles commonly were built of stone, wood, and mortar, and had walls that reached great heights. These materials allowed easy repairs and the towering walls provided effective defenses (Castles of Medieval Europe). The interior design of a castle was, for the most part, plain and uncomfortable. The majority of the rooms were made of stone with tiny windows, if they even had windows at all. The rooms were often very cold because the use of fireplaces to heat a room did not develop until the end of the middle ages. The one exception to this stereotype was the great hall. The great hall was the most important room in the castle, mostly because it is where all of the celebrations and feasts were held. This would be the most decorated room in the castle with tapestries and large windows lining the walls. The great hall was, overall, the most enjoyable room to be in (Castle Architecture). The kitchen was usually attached to, or in close proximity to, the great hall. They were typically very large because they needed to be able to prepare gluttonous amounts of food for large feasts. This was one of the busiest rooms in the castle. The dungeon fits the stereotype of a
medieval castle room well. It was a cold, damp room with minimal lighting. Typically underground, this room was used to store prisoners and in extreme cases, to torture them (Alchin). The bedrooms of a medieval castle were typically called chambers and were often shared between members of the same family. Many were sparsely furnished with a bed commonly being the only piece of furniture. The bathrooms were typically located as far away from the chambers of the lord and lady as possible, mainly because they smelled so bad. A bathroom was called a garderobe or privy and it was usually a wooden seat over a hole. This hole was the beginning of a shoot, which led directly to the moat. “As the moat was generally stagnant water, it meant that the stench would have been unbearable - especially in the summer-time” (Morris). Overall, castles were not as extravagant as many people mistake them to have been. They were extremely cold, dark, and undecorated, built mainly for military protection. Life inside of a castle was crowded and busy. The number of residents varied greatly depending on the size of that particular castle. There was a social hierarchy within the castle walls consisting of the Lord and Lady on top, the constable beneath them, and then the staff beneath him. The Lord’s job was to make sure his rents were paid. He also had to confirm that his knights remained loyal and ready to defend his lands. His final job was to serve as a judge for his people and he was often looked to for settling disputes. The Lady of the house was often married to the Lord through an arranged marriage and she was typically in charge of the domestic duties, such as raising children and overseeing the household tasks carried out by the staff and servants. When the Lord was away, she was in charge of the castle. Below the Lord and Lady was the constable. He was in charge of the castle when both the Lord and the Lady were away on vacation or on business. This happened quite often so it was important to have an executive person other than the Lord and Lady. The knights, men-of-arms, engineers, and archers were essential staff and were an important part of castle life because they were the defense against invaders and military attacks from neighboring kingdoms. Knights, men-of-arms, and archers were the army of the Lord and their loyalty was of upmost importance. Engineers were significant because they designed military tactics and technologies, greatly aiding the army. Grooms, porters, watchmen, and cooks were also important staff. They performed the daily tasks that were key to everyday life, such as caring for the horses, tending guests, keeping watch, or preparing food. Daily life was fairly routine and exceptionally organized, despite the fact that it was rather overcrowded and eventful. There were many astounding castles built during the Middle Ages in Western Europe. These included, but were by no means limited to, the Dover Castle, the Tower of London, and the Windsor Castle. King Henry II created the Dover Castle and it is a perfect example of the “motte and bailey” style that was popular during its time. It was built between 1180 and 1185 on the coast of England (The History of Dover Castle). The Tower of London was built starting in 1066. Since then it has undergone many building projects and looks very different today from the original building constructed in the middle ages. Now it is a major tourist attraction in the heart of London (Medieval Tower). The Windsor castle is a particularly famous medieval castle, also located in England. It is one of the oldest, occupied castles in the world, meaning that there are still people living in it today (Windsor Castle). All of these castles demonstrate the need for military protection and use some variation of the “motte and bailey” style. They are all also large tourist attractions in modern times. Castles connect to Shakespeare’s Macbeth because they were the type of houses that the main characters lived in. These fortresses were essential for military protection from the warring kingdoms. “[The castle] was a protector, visible landmark, and a source of pride among many communities” (Medieval Castle History).
to help protect themselves from invaders. For example, a multitude of castles were built either on a mountain, or large hill, and a significant number were built in close proximity to a large body of water. These locations were ideal because it was easier to see an oncoming attack and prepare for adequate defenses.
Castles commonly were built of stone, wood, and mortar, and had walls that reached great heights. These materials allowed easy repairs and the towering walls provided effective defenses (Castles of Medieval Europe). The interior design of a castle was, for the most part, plain and uncomfortable. The majority of the rooms were made of stone with tiny windows, if they even had windows at all. The rooms were often very cold because the use of fireplaces to heat a room did not develop until the end of the middle ages. The one exception to this stereotype was the great hall. The great hall was the most important room in the castle, mostly because it is where all of the celebrations and feasts were held. This would be the most decorated room in the castle with tapestries and large windows lining the walls. The great hall was, overall, the most enjoyable room to be in (Castle Architecture). The kitchen was usually attached to, or in close proximity to, the great hall. They were typically very large because they needed to be able to prepare gluttonous amounts of food for large feasts. This was one of the busiest rooms in the castle. The dungeon fits the stereotype of a
medieval castle room well. It was a cold, damp room with minimal lighting. Typically underground, this room was used to store prisoners and in extreme cases, to torture them (Alchin). The bedrooms of a medieval castle were typically called chambers and were often shared between members of the same family. Many were sparsely furnished with a bed commonly being the only piece of furniture. The bathrooms were typically located as far away from the chambers of the lord and lady as possible, mainly because they smelled so bad. A bathroom was called a garderobe or privy and it was usually a wooden seat over a hole. This hole was the beginning of a shoot, which led directly to the moat. “As the moat was generally stagnant water, it meant that the stench would have been unbearable - especially in the summer-time” (Morris). Overall, castles were not as extravagant as many people mistake them to have been. They were extremely cold, dark, and undecorated, built mainly for military protection. Life inside of a castle was crowded and busy. The number of residents varied greatly depending on the size of that particular castle. There was a social hierarchy within the castle walls consisting of the Lord and Lady on top, the constable beneath them, and then the staff beneath him. The Lord’s job was to make sure his rents were paid. He also had to confirm that his knights remained loyal and ready to defend his lands. His final job was to serve as a judge for his people and he was often looked to for settling disputes. The Lady of the house was often married to the Lord through an arranged marriage and she was typically in charge of the domestic duties, such as raising children and overseeing the household tasks carried out by the staff and servants. When the Lord was away, she was in charge of the castle. Below the Lord and Lady was the constable. He was in charge of the castle when both the Lord and the Lady were away on vacation or on business. This happened quite often so it was important to have an executive person other than the Lord and Lady. The knights, men-of-arms, engineers, and archers were essential staff and were an important part of castle life because they were the defense against invaders and military attacks from neighboring kingdoms. Knights, men-of-arms, and archers were the army of the Lord and their loyalty was of upmost importance. Engineers were significant because they designed military tactics and technologies, greatly aiding the army. Grooms, porters, watchmen, and cooks were also important staff. They performed the daily tasks that were key to everyday life, such as caring for the horses, tending guests, keeping watch, or preparing food. Daily life was fairly routine and exceptionally organized, despite the fact that it was rather overcrowded and eventful. There were many astounding castles built during the Middle Ages in Western Europe. These included, but were by no means limited to, the Dover Castle, the Tower of London, and the Windsor Castle. King Henry II created the Dover Castle and it is a perfect example of the “motte and bailey” style that was popular during its time. It was built between 1180 and 1185 on the coast of England (The History of Dover Castle). The Tower of London was built starting in 1066. Since then it has undergone many building projects and looks very different today from the original building constructed in the middle ages. Now it is a major tourist attraction in the heart of London (Medieval Tower). The Windsor castle is a particularly famous medieval castle, also located in England. It is one of the oldest, occupied castles in the world, meaning that there are still people living in it today (Windsor Castle). All of these castles demonstrate the need for military protection and use some variation of the “motte and bailey” style. They are all also large tourist attractions in modern times. Castles connect to Shakespeare’s Macbeth because they were the type of houses that the main characters lived in. These fortresses were essential for military protection from the warring kingdoms. “[The castle] was a protector, visible landmark, and a source of pride among many communities” (Medieval Castle History).