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Curated by: Madelyn (image 17)
Introduction to Castles
Introduction to Castles
Castles in Medieval Europe began their development following the Norman Conquest in 1066 which marked the transition from Anglo-Saxon rule to the dominance of the Normans in England. These originally wooden structures were created as a response to the growing and changing needs with defense and governance. More commonly serving as a place for rulers and conquers to be able to station troops within a fortified location, also allowing a symbol of control for neighboring territory. Castles have also been known to be used for political purposes, such as administration and residence. Through years of development and evolution to the design and use of castles, we are now left with these massive and quite extraordinary works of art.
The Evolution in the Architecture of Castles
Originally, the design of castles were simple, consisting of a single tower made of stone, which was protected by a surrounding palisade and moat. During the Golden Age of Medieval Europe (c. 1220 to 1286), this style of architecture underwent a great evolution to form more complex structures with many new features. This included double or even triple-walls surrounding castles, allowing for greater protection during sieges.
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The materials used in the construction of castles also changed. Castles were primarily made out of wood, but this had its disadvantages. This created a vulnerability due to the use of fire during attacks, which led to the wood rotting more quickly and eventually damaging the integrity of the castles. Therefore, stone was more commonly used for the construction of castles to support it's durability and overall structure.
However, this transition did have its consqeunces. Although stone was more durable, it also costed more. This put a strain on on the king's income, taking up about 40% of it. Manual labor cranked up in demand as well, each build needing at least 3,000 workers to build one stone castle including carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, as well as other unskilled laborers who would dig into the Earth.
The Evolution of Uses for Castles
The Evolution of Uses for Castles
The development of castles by the Normans had a significant effect on the advancement of military usage, and a major impact on the political history of Medieval Europe. Today, castles are likely known as a grand place of living for a king or queen, this however has not always been the case with the use of castles throughout history.
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During the Medieval period, castles were frequently used for military purposes, often built as a means to defend recently conquered territories, and a symbol of authority. This changed during Europe’s Golden Age, transitioning to more government-related uses as places of administration and residence. This development in the use of castles would eventually influence a rise in aristocratic power, and feudal structures being reinforced in Europe.
Other Resources:
Pergalias, Vassilis. “Bothwell Castle: A Symbol of Dominance.” Medieval Warfare 4, no. 3 (2014): 23–25. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48578351. - Article that discusses the development and military importance of castles, covering concepts such as seige tactics and how castles played a crucial role in military bases.
Classen, Albrecht. Mediaevistik 19 (2006): 269–70. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42586359. - Covers the architectural features and evolution of castles (econmic and social aspects), including illustrated content to create a more in depth understanding of the strcuture of castles.
McAlister, Vicky. “PART PSYCHOLOGY, PART APPEARANCE: CASTLES AND DEFENCE.” Medieval Warfare 11, no. 4 (2021): 54–57. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48774865. - Discusses the roles of medieval European castles, specifically emphasizing their u
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