Castle

medieval · fortification · nobility · architecture

Medieval Fortress Homes. Castles were private fortified residences built mainly by nobility and royalty during the Middle Ages. Unlike palaces and mansions that were just for fancy living, castles were designed to defend against attacks.

Defensive Features. Castles had many clever defensive features like curtain walls (thick outer walls), arrowslits (narrow openings for archers to shoot through), and portcullises (heavy gates that could be lowered quickly). These features helped protect the people inside from invaders.

Many Different Designs. Castles came in many different shapes and sizes depending on where they were built and what the builder needed. No two castles were exactly the same because they were designed to fit their specific location and purpose.

Home and Fortress Combined. A castle was special because it served two purposes at once: it was where a lord or noble actually lived with their family, and it was also a military stronghold. This made castles very different from other fancy buildings of the time.