Why Do Castles Survive In The Middle Ages
Medieval Castles Assignment
Part A- Explanation
The Medieval period was a time from 650CE until 1550CE that occurred after the fall of Rome in 476CE and if often known as the darkest and bloodiest period in history in which castles were established. Survival in the Middle Ages was based on power and your social standing which is why castles were introduced. After William the Conqueror defeated the English in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 he introduced castles to help defend the land he had conquered. William the Conqueror was an important figure in The Medieval Period as he introduced feudalism the social organisation structured as a pyramid with the pope at the top followed by kings and queens. Castles sole purpose was protection which is why they evolved from being built of wood that attacking villages quickly discovered could easily be burn down with one of the many weapons used in a raid into stone that provided its inhabitants with more protection. Much like how the castles materials evolved so did the design of the castle, the first castles built the ‘motte and bailey’ structure was used that consisted …show more content…
of a man made hill with the keep on top however over time this design was replaced by the stone and keep structure which was then replaced by the concentric design. The concentric design had exterior and interior walls making it harder for attackers to infiltrate the heart of the castle. Castles had one sole purpose, to protect which was what made them very important throughout the medieval ages, a time filled with much slaughter and warfare.
LOCATION
‘The Maximus Castle’ was located in the Switzerland highlands, the ultimate location for defence and survival.
‘the Maximus Castle’ was built on the top of a hill so all entering the castle were in clear view of the guards and incoming raids were able to be prepared for. Another reason ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built in the Switzerland highlands was there was a reliable water source close by and an underground spring that provided all the castles occupants with water to drink and helped water the plants and crops within the castle. The land ‘The Maximus’ is built on is solid land making it hard for enemies to mine underneath the castle. The land in the centre of my castle is fertile making it ideal for farming. ‘The Maximus Castle’s’ was strategically built in a location where vital supplies were available and could easily be defended in the time of an
attack.
MATERIALS
The main purpose of ‘The Maximus Castle’ was to protect and defend its occupants which is why it was built from stone. Stone was the best possible material for ‘The Maximus’ to be built from because unlike wood it couldn’t be burnt down by firing a burning arrow. The outer wall of ‘The Maximus’ was four metres thick stone making it a lot harder for enemies to break through walls using weapons such as the battering ram a large tree trunk with a pointed end used to repeatedly ram a gate or section of the wall. The development of materials used in castles has improved the castles defence and ability to protect its inhabitants.
EXTERNAL DEFENCE FEATURES
In case of an attack ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built with many external defence features that would stop raids reaching the heart of the castle. If ‘The Maximus’ were under attack the first obstacle the intruders would have to face is the moat. “the Maximus Castle’ moat was a broad deep ditch filled with water making it difficult for enemies to attack the castles walls. The only way into ‘The Maximus’ was through one clear main entrance with a lowerable drawbridge in clear view of guards so the castles entrants could be monitored and controlled by our guards at all times. While enemies were busily attempting to get past the moat and find a way through the four metres thick exterior walls armed guards were firing arrows at the attackers through crenels- the top of towers and arrow slits. ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built using the concentric structure making it a lot easier to defend and a lot harder to successfully attack. Much like how the castle design and building materials evolved over time so did the castles ability to defend attacks and withstand sieges.
INTERNAL DEFENCE FEATURES
In the unlikely situation of a raiding enemy getting past my exterior defence they wouldn’t get far before having to face more deadly obstacles. After getting through the initial drawbridge entrance they would have to get past the portcullis a heavy metal gate that could be lowered at the gatehouse with a moment’s notice blocking the castles entrance. While enemies were standing under gateways or ceilings guards would be standing above dropping deadly substances through holes in the roof known as ‘murder holes’. Missiles dropped from the ‘murder holes’ included heavy stones, hot sand, molten lead, boiling water, boiling tar and even boiling oil. As well as these defence features ‘The Maximus’ had hundreds of well-trained soldiers prepared to risk their lives to protect the castles occupants. The features of ‘The Maximus’ were strategically designed to the defendant’s advantage and almost impossible to defeat.
WHO LIVES IN THE CASTLE
‘The Maximus’ was a home to many including lords, kings, queens and their families as well as many others who all had small but important jobs. In order for ‘The Maximus’ to function many jobs needed to be done such as: atilliators, fletchers and armourers who repaired, built and improved the castles weapons and amour, hundreds of guards also called ‘the Maximus’ home who were willing to put their life on the line to defend and protect the castle. Other people who worked in the castle were farmers who looked after the castles plants and crops, cooks who provided food for everyone, a priest who held masses in the chapel, butlers who made wine and beer, servants who worked for and served the upper class in the castle, pages and squires who were assigned knights to serve and messengers to deliver information. In conclusion ‘The Maximus Castle’ was home to many people who played roles in its functionality.
THE VILLLAGE
‘The Maximus Castle’ had a village that was very important and provided the castle with vital supplies. The village in ‘The Maximus’ was located in the centre of the concentric design, the village was where the peasants lived and where the crops and vegetation was grown so in case of a siege the castle would still have access to food. Located in the centre of the village would be a well attached to an underground spring so the vegetation and peasants had plenty of water.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion ‘The Maximus Castle’ was strategically built for its purpose, to defend and protect. This castle includes many defensive features such as the design and was built in an easy to defend place. In the late seventeenth century castles stopped being built as the invention of canons and gunpowder made castles easier to destroy and were not achieving their purpose. However due to castles strong structure many still remain standing today and have provided us with information about the medieval period and their everyday lives.
Part A- Explanation
The Medieval period was a time from 650CE until 1550CE that occurred after the fall of Rome in 476CE and if often known as the darkest and bloodiest period in history in which castles were established. Survival in the Middle Ages was based on power and your social standing which is why castles were introduced. After William the Conqueror defeated the English in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 he introduced castles to help defend the land he had conquered. William the Conqueror was an important figure in The Medieval Period as he introduced feudalism the social organisation structured as a pyramid with the pope at the top followed by kings and queens. Castles sole purpose was protection which is why they evolved from being built of wood that attacking villages quickly discovered could easily be burn down with one of the many weapons used in a raid into stone that provided its inhabitants with more protection. Much like how the castles materials evolved so did the design of the castle, the first castles built the ‘motte and bailey’ structure was used that consisted …show more content…
of a man made hill with the keep on top however over time this design was replaced by the stone and keep structure which was then replaced by the concentric design. The concentric design had exterior and interior walls making it harder for attackers to infiltrate the heart of the castle. Castles had one sole purpose, to protect which was what made them very important throughout the medieval ages, a time filled with much slaughter and warfare.
LOCATION
‘The Maximus Castle’ was located in the Switzerland highlands, the ultimate location for defence and survival.
‘the Maximus Castle’ was built on the top of a hill so all entering the castle were in clear view of the guards and incoming raids were able to be prepared for. Another reason ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built in the Switzerland highlands was there was a reliable water source close by and an underground spring that provided all the castles occupants with water to drink and helped water the plants and crops within the castle. The land ‘The Maximus’ is built on is solid land making it hard for enemies to mine underneath the castle. The land in the centre of my castle is fertile making it ideal for farming. ‘The Maximus Castle’s’ was strategically built in a location where vital supplies were available and could easily be defended in the time of an
attack.
MATERIALS
The main purpose of ‘The Maximus Castle’ was to protect and defend its occupants which is why it was built from stone. Stone was the best possible material for ‘The Maximus’ to be built from because unlike wood it couldn’t be burnt down by firing a burning arrow. The outer wall of ‘The Maximus’ was four metres thick stone making it a lot harder for enemies to break through walls using weapons such as the battering ram a large tree trunk with a pointed end used to repeatedly ram a gate or section of the wall. The development of materials used in castles has improved the castles defence and ability to protect its inhabitants.
EXTERNAL DEFENCE FEATURES
In case of an attack ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built with many external defence features that would stop raids reaching the heart of the castle. If ‘The Maximus’ were under attack the first obstacle the intruders would have to face is the moat. “the Maximus Castle’ moat was a broad deep ditch filled with water making it difficult for enemies to attack the castles walls. The only way into ‘The Maximus’ was through one clear main entrance with a lowerable drawbridge in clear view of guards so the castles entrants could be monitored and controlled by our guards at all times. While enemies were busily attempting to get past the moat and find a way through the four metres thick exterior walls armed guards were firing arrows at the attackers through crenels- the top of towers and arrow slits. ‘The Maximus Castle’ was built using the concentric structure making it a lot easier to defend and a lot harder to successfully attack. Much like how the castle design and building materials evolved over time so did the castles ability to defend attacks and withstand sieges.
INTERNAL DEFENCE FEATURES
In the unlikely situation of a raiding enemy getting past my exterior defence they wouldn’t get far before having to face more deadly obstacles. After getting through the initial drawbridge entrance they would have to get past the portcullis a heavy metal gate that could be lowered at the gatehouse with a moment’s notice blocking the castles entrance. While enemies were standing under gateways or ceilings guards would be standing above dropping deadly substances through holes in the roof known as ‘murder holes’. Missiles dropped from the ‘murder holes’ included heavy stones, hot sand, molten lead, boiling water, boiling tar and even boiling oil. As well as these defence features ‘The Maximus’ had hundreds of well-trained soldiers prepared to risk their lives to protect the castles occupants. The features of ‘The Maximus’ were strategically designed to the defendant’s advantage and almost impossible to defeat.
WHO LIVES IN THE CASTLE
‘The Maximus’ was a home to many including lords, kings, queens and their families as well as many others who all had small but important jobs. In order for ‘The Maximus’ to function many jobs needed to be done such as: atilliators, fletchers and armourers who repaired, built and improved the castles weapons and amour, hundreds of guards also called ‘the Maximus’ home who were willing to put their life on the line to defend and protect the castle. Other people who worked in the castle were farmers who looked after the castles plants and crops, cooks who provided food for everyone, a priest who held masses in the chapel, butlers who made wine and beer, servants who worked for and served the upper class in the castle, pages and squires who were assigned knights to serve and messengers to deliver information. In conclusion ‘The Maximus Castle’ was home to many people who played roles in its functionality.
THE VILLLAGE
‘The Maximus Castle’ had a village that was very important and provided the castle with vital supplies. The village in ‘The Maximus’ was located in the centre of the concentric design, the village was where the peasants lived and where the crops and vegetation was grown so in case of a siege the castle would still have access to food. Located in the centre of the village would be a well attached to an underground spring so the vegetation and peasants had plenty of water.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion ‘The Maximus Castle’ was strategically built for its purpose, to defend and protect. This castle includes many defensive features such as the design and was built in an easy to defend place. In the late seventeenth century castles stopped being built as the invention of canons and gunpowder made castles easier to destroy and were not achieving their purpose. However due to castles strong structure many still remain standing today and have provided us with information about the medieval period and their everyday lives.