Synopsis:
Towers, torture and trebuchets. Mottes, moats and murder holes. These fortifications aren't your Disneyland variety. Sleeping Beauty doesn't have the guts to live here. Medieval castles were some of the most imposing structures ever built, withstanding both bloody assaults and the test of time. In an unruly period they represented order to some and subjugation to others. They were designed like machines, nearly every architectural detail devoted to defense...as well as psychological intimidation. Castles represented the perfect fusion of form and function. Masterfully constructed. At once intimidating...yet beautiful. The complexity of their construction is matched by the multi-purposes they served. Castles were homes...residences of kings or nobles. That is what differentiates them from other fortifications. But castles were also economic centers, courthouses, treasuries and prisons. Castle construction began with a good design and hopefully a qualified architect. Builders relied on muscle power to quarry and smooth stone. Once the walls were up plasterers covered the walls with plaster then painters whitewashed them. But don't be fooled by the pretty paint job. They were designed to keep people out and decimate those who tried to breach their defenses. Castles were killing machines. Castles were designed with multi-layered defenses. An enemy had to confront several lines of defenses before taking the castle. From high towers archers showered arrows on the enemy. Castle builders constructed loopholes or arrow slits in the towers to protect their archers. Like the teeth of the castle, the top of the walls were crenellated. An archer hid behind a merlon and stepped into the open spot, or crenel, to fire his bow. The most heavily fortified area of most castles was the gatehouse. Here attackers had to cross the drawbridge, get through the portcullis and break down the gate to get into the castle, all while facing an onslaught of arrow fire and rocks being thrown on their heads from "murder holes" above.