How medieval castles were built. Why was it so difficult to capture them? Medieval castles in Europe

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.

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 choose appropriate place. The most impenetrable castles were built on the cliffs of steep rocks. However, more often they chose a hill with an open view 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 outside 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 the 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. Without a source of water, 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 this day, turned into architectural monuments and reminiscent of the era of chivalry.

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Time is inexorable, and ancient structures come to us mainly in the form of ruins, more interesting to archaeologists than to tourists. But fate favored some especially durable ones, and they were well preserved. Thus, some of the oldest castles in the world became accessible to tourists, visits to which are always interesting and educational. In Europe, castles began to be actively built at the end of the 10th century, and by the 14th century this type of architecture reached its perfection.

1. Bernstein Castle, (Austria)

The long history of Bernstein Castle is rich in events; it changed owners so many times that neither their exact number nor the name of who built this castle remains. It was first mentioned in documents in 860, and in the 13th century it served as a border fortress. It was built in a place where the borders of Austria, Bohemia and Hungary met, so the leaders of these countries competed for possession of the castle.
Bernstein is a wonderful example of bastion architecture. It has an oval perimeter, it has very thick, almost fortress walls with rare turrets and narrow windows. The courtyard is now broken beautiful garden. The nature around Bernstein is untouched, and there is a golf course and a famous golf club nearby - this game is an important reason why guests flock to the castle. In 1953, the castle was converted into a hotel, which it remains today. The owners of the castle were able to preserve its authenticity - this applies not only to the walls, but also to the interiors and furniture, which are also very old. Entering Bernstein Castle, a person immediately feels like he is in the era of knights.

2. Foix Castle (France)

This castle, located in the south of France, in the Pyrenees, once belonged to the famous family of the Counts of Foix. Its history begins in 987. In the will of Count Roger I of Carcassonne dated 1002, the castle was transferred to his youngest son Bernard. In 1034 it became the center of government for the county of Foix, leaving the medieval military history noticeable mark. Since the 15th century, the castle was the residence of the governor of this region, and at the same time it continued to perform protective functions throughout the religious wars. Before the Great French Revolution, a garrison lived in the castle.
The Comte de Treville, known from The Three Musketeers, and the future minister of Louis XVI, Marshal Segur, were governors here. In 1930, the museum of the Ariège department was located here, which has exhibitions dedicated to the prehistoric, Gallo-Roman and medieval eras of this land.

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3. Castle of the Black Falcon (France)

This wonderful castle is located in the French department of Indre-et-Loire, in the town of Montbazon and is the oldest surviving stone defensive structure in France. The fortress was built in the period 991-996 by order of Fulk Nerr, Count of Anjou, then several more defensive buildings were added to it. Despite its long and not the most peaceful history, this castle is perfectly preserved, and since 2003 it has been open to visitors. The modern outlines of the castle were given during the Middle Ages - in the 12th century, the feudal lords of Montbazon who owned it.
The dominant feature of the complex is a 28-meter high quadrangular donjon; in addition, there is a small tower fortified with a series of projections, a massive fence and a closed courtyard. In 1791, the period of decline of this castle began, along with the fall of the small tower and the adjacent dungeons, and after 7 years the matter was completed by lightning striking the donjon. By the way, the cracks running along its eastern wall are evidence of this episode.

4. Langeais Castle (France)

In 992, construction began on Lange Castle, which initially consisted of a wooden donjon built on an embankment. This place is located 24 kilometers from Tours, the owner of these lands was the first Count of Blois. Unlike other capital dungeons, this one was built in a hurry, but its walls were 1.5 meters thick. Then wars followed one after another. For example, during the Hundred Years' War the castle was captured by the British many times. Finally, they agreed to leave it in 1428, but on the condition that the castle would be destroyed, leaving only the donjon.
King Louis XI ordered the restoration of the castle in 1465, after which it was owned by many monarchs. Anna of Breton came to Lange. When Charles-François Moisan acquired the castle in 1797, he noted only that he had brought it into disrepair, sold off the surrounding lands, and built a stable on the ground floor of the castle. After the purchase of the castle in 1839 by Christophe Baron, a revival began for it. In 1886, the Minister of Trade and Mayor of Le Havre, Jacques Siegfried, became the new owner of Lange, who devoted the next two decades to the restoration of the complex, especially its interiors. And in 1904 he donated the castle to the French Institute.

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5. Castle of Loches (France)

Among all the medieval donjons that have survived to this day, the one located in the castle of Loches is perhaps the oldest. It began to be built in 1005 and was completed around 1070. The result was a 38-meter-high structure with three-meter-thick walls that was almost impregnable. The history of the Losches fortress began during the reign of Count Fulk Nerr of Anjou, a restless warrior who spent his entire life at enmity with de Blois' neighbors. It was he who decided to build a square stone fortress.
Some of the castle's premises are open to the public today; the 15th-century torture chamber built by Charles VII is especially popular - in it you can see the shackles that held the legs of those executed during quartering. A copy of Louis XI's cage, in which Bishop Balu sat for 11 years, is also kept here. The French Ministry of Culture recognized the castle of Loches as a significant historical monument in 1861.

6. Bled Castle (Slovenia)

Near the Slovenian city of Bled, on a 130-meter cliff overlooking Lake Bled, stands Bled Castle. It was first mentioned in a document from 1004, reporting the transfer of Feldes Castle (then German name) by Emperor Henry II to the use of Bishop Albuin of Brixen. Its oldest building is a Romanesque donjon, which was used for defense, living and viewing the surrounding area.
In the medieval period, other buildings were attached to the cliff, and at its very top, stone defensive walls with towers were built. In 1947, the castle burned down, but a few years later it was restored and built there historical Museum, where weapons, clothing and household items of that time are presented.

7. Angers Castle (France)

Another castle from the banks of the Loire from the Maine-et-Loire department. This area was part of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. On the banks of the Men River there was a small border outpost, with wooden walls to protect against Vikings and barbarians. In 851, the fortress came under the control of Count Geoffroy II of Anjou, who managed to turn the modest wooden fort into a large stone castle. In 1939, the Polish government in exile settled here, but already in 1940 the Germans smoked it out from there.
After the war, Angers Castle was restored. Its main attraction was the cycle of tapestries “Apocalypse” - 7 canvases on biblical subjects, woven by 1378 according to the sketches of the Flemish painter Jean by the weaver Nicolas Bataille. The canvases have a total length of 144 meters with a height of 5.5 meters.

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8. Chepstow Castle (Wales)

This castle stands on the banks of the River Wye in the town of Chepstow in south Wales. It was built by William Fitz-Osburn in the period 1067-1071. The Earl of Pembroke added a pair of towers to it in 1200, and his sons added a barbiquene protecting the drawbridge and a gatehouse. This is the first castle on the entire island of Great Britain built entirely of stone. In the middle XIX century festivities and gardening exhibitions began to be held in the castle, to which festivals and historical competitions were soon added, which are still taking place to this day. In 1914, it was bought by a businessman who preserved the castle, and in 1953 his family transferred the castle to the state, after which it became open to the public.

9. Windsor Castle (England)

This current residence of British monarchs is located in the city of Windsor. Rising on a hill in the Thames Valley for over 900 years, it is a symbol of the monarchy. Having captured England in 1066, William I the Conqueror over the next decade surrounded London with a ring of castles standing on mounded hills 30 kilometers from the capital and from each other. At first the castle was made of wood, but with a stone wall around the perimeter; it stood on a limestone hill about 30 meters above the level of the Thames.
King Henry I was the first to use Windsor Castle as his residence in 1110, and he married Adela here in 1121. By this point, the wooden buildings had partially collapsed due to the gradual subsidence of the hill. Then wooden piles were driven into the hill, on which a stone fortress was erected. Henry II, who ascended the throne in 1154, continued the construction of the castle.
Today, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world, with about 500 people working and living there. The Queen visits there in March-April and a week in June each year, where she conducts ceremonies related to the Order of the Garter. Here she officially receives foreign representatives. About a million tourists come to Windsor every year.

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10. Dover Castle (England)

This is one of the largest English castles in size, located in Dover (Kent), on the shores of the English Channel, separating the British Isles from the continent. Some of the castle's buildings date back to ancient times. The fortress was surrounded by a huge ditch, which was probably dug in the Iron Age. At the beginning of the new era before British Isles The troops of the Roman Empire arrived, they built two lighthouses on this place, and one of them has survived to this day. It can still be seen when visiting Dover.
Around the 10th century, the Church of St. Mary of Castro was added to the lighthouse, and the lighthouse was also its bell tower. This church was also able to survive. In 1066, the Normans, led by William I, captured the castle and all of England. Henry II - his grandson began to build a defensive system and the main tower of the castle. A colossal amount of 7,000 pounds was then spent on construction, of which 4,000 was spent on the construction of the donjon. In the 18th century, during the wars with Napoleon, tunnels were cut into the rocks at a 15-meter depth under the fortress to accommodate 2,000 soldiers. The castle was also expanded and strengthened to withstand the onslaught of the French. But after 1826, when Bonaparte was finished, the castle was abandoned, and all its inhabitants left it without using it in any way.
Only about a century later, in 1939, when the war with Germany began, did they remember the tunnels, which were converted first into bomb shelters and then into a military hospital. Now the castle houses a large museum complex, open to everyone.

Many always associate the Middle Ages with the era of knights, tournaments and castles. But what he really was like knight's castle, we will try to find out in today's article. First, you should remember who a knight is.

A knight is essentially a feudal lord. He was of noble birth and gathered his own army. He bought military ammunition at his own expense; he always had an accompanying person from among his servants. They helped him with everything. A knight's castle is, in fact, a large fortified estate, where there is the feudal lord's large house, as well as many outbuildings. Europe was experiencing a stage of feudal fragmentation. The feudal lord created the castle as a means of protection against nomadic peoples. It was a large fortification that could hold a long defense.

Where were knights' castles built?

The knight's castle, as already mentioned, is the fortress of the feudal lord. During the period of fragmentation, it was necessary to somehow defend ourselves. To do this, first you had to choose a place to build a castle. Great place there was a small hill or hill for construction. Having built a castle there, the feudal lord could see his enemies approaching the castle in advance.

Another construction site could be the river area. The river could secure the castle from one, and sometimes even from both sides. Also, during construction, the river made it possible to build an artificial ditch. This was a very common occurrence. Sometimes crocodiles were released into such ditches, this is also for safety.

It was very important for the feudal lord to be close to trade. So that's why knights built their castles near trade routes, or better yet, at their intersections. This is, firstly, involvement in trade, and secondly, it was possible to collect duties from traders. And also the roads on the land of the feudal lord were used by merchants. There was an unspoken rule here: “What falls from the cart belongs to the owner of the land.” This was also a plus.

But, of course, let’s not forget that the main thing was, of course, to ensure the safety of our knight’s castle. Most attention was paid to external attributes. Fortress structures and defenses were built of stone. Previously, wood was used, but it is not very durable, and could, of course, burn very quickly in the event of a fire.

Initially, the castle was protected with a moat and a drawbridge. Then they began to install a metal grate, which they called "gers". She rose and fell. Tactically, the lattice could be used intelligently. Enemies could not penetrate there, but from the castle it was possible to shoot from a bow through it. Even later, they began to build a special tower in front of the fortress - "barbican". She defended the castle even better.

Inside the knight's castle

It has already been said that they paid more attention to the security of the castle. But the interior decoration was not so important. There were practically no windows. And those that were available were very narrow. No glass was used, only the intestines of cows and bulls. This did not make the room brighter; it was always gloomy. But what the builders did not skimp on were the stairs and corridors. There were a lot of them there. It was easy to get confused. Stairs and corridors created drafts. This had a very bad effect on the health of the castle's inhabitants.

There was not enough warmth. There were fireplaces, but since the walls were stone, it was difficult to heat such a room. People felt cold all the time. The floors were also stone; straw was placed on top of them. The furniture was wooden: tables, chairs, beds. The walls were usually decorated with hunting trophies or hung with swords and shields. This was the decoration of the home of the average family.

Somewhere from the 14th century. bricks began to be used in construction. It was much warmer in such houses than in stone ones. The windows were expanded and glass was inserted. During meals they began to use porcelain dishes. Carpets were laid on the floors. Basements and cellars were used to store food. Oil lamps were used for lighting.

Ordinary people settled near the houses of feudal lords. Their interior decoration was much more modest, without luxury. When enemies attacked, commoners took refuge behind the walls of knightly castles. Over time, peasant settlements arose near the castles. And from these villages cities grew. There were fairs and markets, and the feudal lord received taxes from the population. He was very much not against people settling near his lands.

Knight's castle video

If you are a fan of traveling to places with a centuries-old history that reek of archaism, take a look at what ancient castles are still inhabited by people and even ghosts.

Modern skyscrapers and designer exhibition centers are gradually displacing traditional architecture from cities. Given their popularity, the desire to live in a secluded castle seems extravagant. However, in every corner of Europe you can find old houses that have been preserved thanks to the efforts of loving owners. And although they are not as comfortable as penthouses equipped with the latest technology, castles have their own charm.

1. Chateau Plessis-Bourret, France

Its appearance is so severe that the castle rather resembles a defensive fortress. Its interior decoration will amaze even the most sophisticated person accustomed to luxurious decorations. It has not undergone any modifications: what makes the chateau truly unique is the absolute preservation of the original design. Plessis-Bourret was built in 1472 by Jean Bourret, who served as Minister of Finance under King Louis XI. The bribe-taker Bure was so afraid of the uprising of the inhabitants of the lands belonging to him that he ordered the palace to be surrounded by the widest ditch in France. The drawbridge, which makes it possible to exit from it, is still used for its intended purpose.

Modern owners do not hide the historical monument that belongs to them either from curious tourists or from film directors. In 2003, Penelope Cruz spent several unforgettable weeks at the castle, filming the film “Fanfan Tulip” with Vincent Perez. Today, anyone can follow her example by renting one of the rooms in Plessis-Bourret as hotel room. For those who prefer five-star hotels, free and individual excursions with a guide lasting several hours.

2. Residence of the Queen of Great Britain in Berkshire, England

Windsor Castle is the largest and most famous among its fellow castles that are still considered residential. Its splendor and scale are frightening and amazing at the same time: on an area of 45 thousand m² there is a complex of buildings with 1000 residential premises. For 900 years, Windsor has belonged to the ruling dynasty and all its members have the right to modernize the estate to their taste. Each new monarch expanded and expanded the area of \u200b\u200bthe property, until the adjacent hardwood forest was considered Berkshire Park. At the end of the last century, the queen's residence was urgently reconstructed due to a massive fire.

The Queen of England today uses Windsor as a means of defeating heads of other states and other distinguished guests. She invites them to stay in rooms decorated with originals by Rembrandt and Rubens, antique candlesticks and gilded ceiling moldings. After this, who can refuse a royal person’s political request?

3. Berkeley Castle, England

The second most populous palace in England after Windsor. At the end of the 12th century it was bought by the surname Berkeley, which is in the title of lords. In 1327, members of an influential family unwillingly became custodians of a prison in their own home. Opponents of King Edward II deposed him and placed him in Berkeley, demanding from his owners an obligation to prevent any attempt to escape. That same year, the estate began to be distinguished from other castles in the area by a high fence instead of the moat with water that was familiar to the eye in those days. Within six months, the prisoner tried to leave Berkeley twice, after which he was executed by the new ruler.

The castle's heirs inhabit only 20% of its area: the rest is used as a hotel and museum. But the main source of their income is cinema. Berkeley's interiors can be seen in the TV series "Wolf Hall", "Castle in the Country" and the film "The Other Boleyn Girl".

4. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Built on an extinct volcano, the palace rises 120 meters above sea level. Scientists have found that the first walls appeared here back in the Iron Age: they were built by warriors planning a raid on the English tribes. Over the course of many centuries, Edinburgh Castle passed from English to Scottish ownership and vice versa. Ten years ago, the British Ministry of Defense finally abandoned it. Residents of Scotland's biggest tourist attraction are not affected by the decision. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the castle has been home to a dynasty of caretakers, whose only duty remains the hourly firing of a cannon during daylight hours.

5. Warwick Castle, England

The vast majority of residents of the house are television and Youtube stars. The estate, built back in 1068 by William the Conqueror, is a regular participant in shows with psychics, “ghost hunters” and magicians. It even made it into the book Haunted Houses of Great Britain and Ireland. Anyone can find footage of internal surveillance cameras with evidence of their existence on video hosting sites.

Extreme temperature fluctuations, light anomalies and mysterious rustling noises are caused by the “Gray Lady” and her assistants. The pensioner, who is the heiress of the Earl-owner of Warwick, is also familiar with her. For 100 years, her figure has been bumping into the inhabitants of the palace in its long corridors and fearfully shying away at the sight of children. She can't walk through walls, so people in Warwick are used to doors opening suddenly. Those who have seen it up close say it is a ghost old woman dressed in a gray dress. The “Grey Lady” is assisted by the poet with the title of earl Fulk Greville, who was strangled in the Water Tower in 1628. His soul-chilling screams are heard from the Tower several times a week. In addition to this couple, more than 10 unidentified ghosts live in Warwick.

6. Rock of Cashel, Ireland

In the castle on the rock of Cashel lives the caretaker of the cemetery that spontaneously arose near its walls. A group of medieval buildings dating from the 12th to 15th centuries adjoins the Cormac Chapel, a small Romanesque church that houses the sarcophagus of the fortress's first owner, after whom it is named. During a surprise enemy attack local residents They tried to take refuge in the church, but everyone was brutally killed. They were buried there, and soon new burials began to appear around the graves of the unfortunate victims. According to legend, dozens of spirits also live there.

7. Kronborg Estate, Denmark

Built in 1420, the castle on the outskirts of Copenhagen is officially listed world heritage UNESCO. In order to protect it from capture by the Swedes, it was designed as a complex system of labyrinths and underground passages. Creative personalities live in Kronborg - directors, actors, screenwriters. Every spring they create a new interpretation of the theatrical production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and present it to the audience.

8. Bran Palace, Romania

In picturesque Transylvania there is the estate of the bloodiest Romanian of all times - Count Dracula. Bran is a famous tourist attraction in the country, as well as a hotel with rooms in the form of wooden log houses decorated with tiles. The legendary vampire loved to stay there during his lifetime, but he left no reminders of himself in Bran. The interior decoration of the castle has been preserved from the time of Queen Mary: she lived in it after the count and decorated it big amount books, porcelain and icons. The latter, according to rumors, she needed to prevent nightly visits from the vampire.

9. Pfalzgrafenstein Estate, Germany

Even native Germans are unable to pronounce the name correctly the first time. It is located in the middle of the Rhine River: the island of Pfalzgrafenstein used to be completely deserted and uninhabited. A fortress was built on it as a royal customs house, inspecting ships passing by. Later it became a residence local nobility. In the 20th century, there was a national need to use Pfalzgrafenstein as a lighthouse. Now a caretaker lives there, and to visit him, you will have to cross the Rhine by boat the old fashioned way.

10. Fortification of Castel del Monte, Italy

The author of this building was never found. In the 15th century it was created as an astronomical calendar, in each room of which you can find out the time by sundial or date according to the light calendar. Castel del Monte has 8 floors, each with 8 rooms. Modern astronomers have been able to prove that the location of the fortress is truly ideal for observing the starry sky. It was equipped as an observatory in which scientists live year-round.

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. Stone structures The Normans began to build, 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 objective- 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 of drinking water - in case 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.

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Imagine mountain slope, on which a knight's castle was erected. 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 additional protection for gates. 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 the 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's 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 was located on 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 a stone palace (palace) not far from it. 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.

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