Why did the castles have great towers?

The wall towers of medieval castles had many defensive functions. Towers within the walls were therefore used primarily to shoot at the enemy with bows, crossbows, and later gunpowder weapons. Larger towers could even support the weight of siege engines placed on top of them.

Why did castles have high openings in the Middle Ages?

Since the power and security of a lord depended upon his ability to defend himself, fief owners began to build sturdy castles. Castles were designed to withstand a siege and mount a defense. Location: Castles were usually built on top of a hill if one was handy. …

What were towers used for?

Historically, towers tended to be used for defensive or military purposes, and the term could be used to refer to an entire fortress, such as the Tower of London. The Romanesque and Gothic periods incorporated towers within the design of churches and cathedrals, sometimes with a spire or a flat roof.

Why are some castle towers round?

Round towers, also called drum towers, are more resistant to siege technology such as sappers and projectiles than square towers. The round front is more resistant than the straight side of a square tower, just as a load-bearing arch. This principle was already understood in antiquity.

What role did castles play in the Middle Ages?

Castles could serve as a centre for local government, administration and justice. They were also used by powerful lords to display their wealth and power through lavish architectural styles and decoration. Castles were not only built and used by the crown.

How did they defend castles in the Middle Ages?

The top of the castle walls were the battlements, a protective, tooth shaped parapet often with a wall walk behind it for the soldiers to stand on. The defenders could fire missiles through gaps (crenels). The raised sections between, called merlons, helped to shelter the defenders during an enemy attack.

What two main purposes did castles serve in feudal Europe?

Example: Protection and defense were the two main reasons medieval castles were built.

How tall was a medieval tower?

Usual height for the motte of a large motte and bailey: 30 feet (9 m). Height of the walls of Framlingham Castle in England: 40 feet (12 m). Height of the keep at Dover Castle in England: 80 feet (24 m). Height of the tallest tower at Warwick Castle in England: 128 feet (39 m).

What are some common features of castles of the Middle Ages?

Common features of castles of the Middle Ages include: Towers served as an important defensive tactic by allow sentinels a higher vantage point from which to view an approaching enemy thereby giving the residents more time to prepare for the impending attack.

Why were castles built at the top of hills?

Castles were often built at the top of hills or where they could use some natural features of the land to help with their defense. After the Middle Ages castles weren’t built as much, especially as larger artillery and cannon were designed that could easily knock down their walls.

What is the history of castles?

From the humble origins of the simple wooden motte-and-bailey designs, castles grew to be enormously complex fortifications in the late middle ages, with multiple layers of carefully planned outworks, walls, and towers. The earliest fortifications in Europe were hillforts built during the Bronze Age, simple but effective earthworks.

What were siege engines used to attack castles?

Siege engines were used to attack castles. They included the battering ram, catapult, siege towers, and the ballista. Often times attacking armies would wait outside and try to starve out the castle dwellers rather than attack them. This is called a siege.