a large building with high walls and towers that was built in the past to defend people against attack; e.g. a medieval castle

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Eugenia Stokes
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CASTLE CASTLE a large building with high walls and towers that was built in the past to defend people against attack; e.g. a medieval castle PORTCULLIS strong heavy iron grating raised or lowered at the entrance to a castle DRAWBRIDGE a structure (esp.

1 CASTLE CASTLE a large building with high walls and towers that was built in the past to defend people against attack; e.g. a medieval castle PORTCULLIS strong heavy iron grating raised or lowered at the entrance to a castle DRAWBRIDGE a structure (esp. across the water area in front of the castle) that can be pulled up to stop people crossing TURRET small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or defensive wall BATTLEMENTS flat roof of a tower or castle surrounded by low walls with openings at intervals made for shooting through MOAT deep wide ditch filled with water, dug round a castle, as a defense DUNGEON strong, dark prison cell, usually located underground KEEP the central most defensible part of a castle where defenders could make a last stand. It is generally the largest and tallest structure to allow visibility. GATEHOUSE house built at or over a gate, e.g. at the entrance of a large building or a park ARROW SLITS can be shaped as keyholes or crosses; from the inside the opening widens so an archer can turn side to side and stay protected STABLES buildings where horses were kept, generally located between the two walls

CHURCH a building used for public Christian worship ALTAR an elevated place or table on which bread and wine are consecrated during a religious service CHOIR part of a church occupied by the singers

2 CHURCH a building used for public Christian worship ALTAR an elevated place or table on which bread and wine are consecrated during a religious service CHOIR part of a church occupied by the singers and their master; organized group of singers, esp. one that performs in religious services PULPIT small raised and enclosed platform where a clergyman stands when he is preaching PORCH covered entrance to a building, usually richly decorated NAVE central part of a church where the congregation sits, usually in pews VESTRY room or building attached to a church where clothing is kept and where clergymen can put them on PEWS long bench-like seats with a back and sides, placed in rows for people to sit on AISLE side passage that is divided by a row of pillars from the nave

TRANSEPT part of a cross-shaped church which is built at right angles to the main central part (nave) FONT basin in a church, usually carved from stone, to hold water for baptisms For those of you

3 TRANSEPT part of a cross-shaped church which is built at right angles to the main central part (nave) FONT basin in a church, usually carved from stone, to hold water for baptisms For those of you writing epic or swords and sorcery fantasy, or anything set in Medieval times, this post is for you. Chances are that somewhere in your story there will be a castle and you will need to be familiar with some basic terminology. Most castles are very similar in their layout. the keep Inner ward - large inner courtyard, usually surrounding Inner curtain A high wall surrounding the inner ward Tower a square or round structure built as part of the wall Inner gate - gate leading to the inner ward Outer gate gate in the inner curtain, part of a gatehouse Moat pit around the castle, often filled with water. Drum Tower a short round tower built to support the wall

Outer curtain - the outermost wall defending the outer ward Keep - the central most defensible part of a castle, where the defenders could make a last stand.

Arrow slits also called arrow loops, can be shaped as slits, keyholes, or crosses. From the inside the slits widen so an archer can turn side to side and stay protected.

4 Outer curtain - the outermost wall defending the outer ward Keep - the central most defensible part of a castle, where the defenders could make a last stand. It is generally the largest and tallest structure to allow visibility of the surrounding area. Living quarters are located here. Arrow slits also called arrow loops, can be shaped as slits, keyholes, or crosses. From the inside the slits widen so an archer can turn side to side and stay protected. Gatehouse - Structure consisting of two large towers that support the gate. They were often large enough to house a standing guard and are considered the strongest defensive positions in the castle. the keep of the castle Donjon developed into Barbican a structure used to help defend the gateway, usually consisting of towers and walls built at right angles to the gatehouse. Inner and Outer Bailey In the picture it shows the baileys as walls but they are actually the courtyards or wards. These were used as exercise yards, parade grounds, and occasionally corrals.

5 Battlements fighting position on the top of towers and along the wall, with crenelated walls to protect the defenders. Drawbridge a heavy timber platform between the gatehouse and surrounding land that could be raised to protect the door. There is also a turning bridge that pivoted in the middle to prevent entrance. Portcullis - a heavy timber or metal grill that could be dropped to protect the main entrance. It was occasionally used to trap attackers inside the barbican. Other features: Chapel Many castles had their own chapel built as part of the keep. Stables The horses do have to be kept somewhere! Generally they were located between the two walls, but this varied greatly between structures. Secret passages a castle wouldn t be complete if there weren t secret doors and passages to help protect the occupants. Some of these led to other locations in the keep and some led to escape routes.

Test your knowledge!

Test your knowledge! Label the Map Keep, Motte, Barbican, Norman Gatehouse, Bailey Draw Put an X to show where YOU are standing. Shade in on the drawing the parts of the castle you can still see today.