Medieval+Castles

Medieval Castles  If people were smart the medieval castles were usually built on top of a hill. That way, the lookout guards could more easily spot attackers approaching. A moat was built around many of the castles. This was a deep ditch surrounding the castle walls, filled with water. A bridge was built to cross the moat. The bridge was raised during an attack. The moat was loaded with traps and sharp spikes in case someone tried to swim across. The drawbridge was the bridge built across the moat. This bridge could be raised and lowered for added protection from intruders.  One of the largest spaces behind the thick walls was the keep. The keep was a storage area topped by a huge square tower with slotted windows for castle archers to use. The keep stored food, wine, and grain in case of siege. Other buildings made up the barracks. The barracks were the homes of the knights and their families

The Great Hall was a passageway that connected the lord's home to the keep. The chapel was built either inside the lord's home or as a separate building. The chapel was a place to hold religious services. The gatehouse was a building used by the guards at the gates. The portcullis was the grating of iron bars at the gateway.  Only the people at the top of the feudalism pyramid were allowed in the castles. But in times of war they opened the castle gate so people could gather there and protect themselves from attackers. It was a way to keep the people in the village safe. They opened all the doors, got everybody in the castle and then they finally closed the doors and left guards in front of the doors to not let anyone in.