What Are the Great Walls of Castles Used For?

The Middle Ages was a violent time. There was very little safety from people who wished to do harm or from wild animals. Castles not only served as residences for the landed gentry but as fortresses. A castle was also like the town center. It was where people from the surrounding areas could come to trade goods or get work done such as thatching or smithing.


Motte and Bailey Castles
 Two types of castle were used in the Middle Ages. The motte and bailey castle was first developed in France. It was originally made of timber but was switched to stone when it became clear that timber wasn't safe. The motte was a mound of dirt on which the castle's keep was constructed while the bailey was the land surrounding the motte where supplies were stored and barracks were erected. Using many laborers and built on the highest ground available, motte and bailey castles were used by the Normans to help control the serfs as they tried to conquer Britain.


Concentric Castles
 Concentric castles are known as castles within castles. The keep was round with many walls and drawbridges to protect it. Imagine a bow and arrow target: the keep would be the bullseye in the center while the surrounding rings would be the various walls that kept it safe. The inner walls were of various heights and depths as you went deeper into the castle. This type of castle was used regularly after King Edward I of England realized that these types of castle were harder to attack then the original motte and bailey castles.


The Curtain Wall
 The curtain wall is the name of the great wall surrounding the whole castle. It was any where from six to 20 feet thick and up to 45 feet high. The drawbridge connected to it and was the only way into the castle from the outside. Towers, called bastions, were located at the corners to house weapons and soldiers. Concentric castles had more then one curtain wall inside the outer most wall.


Uses of the Curtain Wall
 Defense was the primary reason the curtain wall went up. It was patrolled by guards and -- at 45 feet high -- not easy to get over. The height also made it easier to see enemy invaders headed your way. Soldiers used the bastions as rudimentary barracks when they were on guard. There were special features on the curtain walls called arrow slits and murder holes. The arrow slits were used for firing arrows out of and murder holes were holes in the top of the wall you could dump hot oil or water out of to defend the castle against invaders.