What was good about concentric castles?

What was good about concentric castles?

Major advantages of a Concentric Castle: Round towers couldn’t be mined as easily. Larger Castles can house a greater number of defendants. Once inside the outer wall an attacker was still visible to defenders in a large number of towers.

What was life like in a castle in the Middle Ages?

Living in medieval castles wasn’t just about indulging in non-stop feasts, being entertained by jesters, and watching flamboyant jousts. Castle life, even for the upper class, would not have been all that glamorous. Dark and gloomy rooms, lit and heated by suffocatingly smoky fires, were par for the course.

Are castles comfortable?

These made the place feel much warmer and absorbed a lot of the dampness from the air. With roaring fires and many people milling about, for a few short weeks, castles could be reasonably comfortable places to live.

Why was a concentric castle easy to defend?

The inside walls were built higher than the outside walls. This meant that defenders could fire arrows over the heads of the soldiers defending the outside walls. He also put an outer wall around the Tower of London making that a concentric castle.

Who would live in a medieval castle?

During the late Middle Ages, from the 10th to the 16th centuries, kings and lords lived in castles. As well as the lord, the lady (his wife), and their family there were lots of staff. Some were important officials, such as the constable who took care of the castle when the lord was away.

What did concentric castles look like?

Concentric castles resemble one castle nested inside the other, thus creating an inner and outer ward. They are typically built without a central free-standing keep. Where the castle includes a particularly strong tower (donjon), such as at Krak or Margat, it projects from the inner enceinte.

Why are castles not used anymore?

After the 16th century, castles declined as a mode of defense, mostly because of the invention and improvement of heavy cannons and mortars. The idea was that thick layers of dirt would absorb the impact of cannon fire. Also, these fortifications were easier and faster to build than castles.

Are there any real castles in America?

While fairytale castles may be more associated with medieval Europe, the USA is actually home to many beautiful chateaus, mansions and palaces – you just need to know where to find them. We round up the most enchanting American castles, from the grand Biltmore Estate in North Carolina to California’s Hearst Castle.

What are the features of a concentric castle?

Image courtesy of http://www.castlewales.com The Concentric castle was developed in the 12th and 13th Centuries and offered the best protection against attack. The main feature of the concentric castle is its walls. An inner wall built of thick stone with turrets positioned at intervals is then surrounded by an equally thick but lower stone wall.

Why was Caernarvon Castle a concentric castle?

Caernarvon Castle was built in the late 13th century to reinforce English rule over Wales. It is known for its 12 huge towers with 5, 6 and 10 sides. Although concentric castles were strong and easy to defend, they were also expensive to build.

Why are concentric castles called the death holes?

Concentric Castles. The space between the two walls was known as the ‘death hole’ because being trapped within the walls would almost certainly result in death for the attacker. The entire castle was then often surrounded with a moat and entry would be across a drawbridge.

Why was the Krak des Chevaliers castle concentric?

Krak des Chevaliers also featured a clever element of concentric castle design intended to confuse and slow an attacking force: the ‘bent entrance’.