Definitions and Terms: The Parts of a Medieval Castle
Allure or Wall-Walk
The area along the tops of the walls from which soldiers could defend the castle; passage behind the parapet of a castle wall
Arrow Loop
A narrow, vertical slit cut into a wall through which arrows could be fired from inside
Bailey or Ward
Courtyard within the walls of the castle
Ballista
Engine resembling a crossbow, used in hurling "missiles" (rocks) or large arrows
Barbican
An outwork or forward extension of a castle gateway
Bastion
A small tower at the end of a curtain wall or in the middle of the outside wall
Battlement
A narrow wall built along the outer edge of the wall to protect soldiers against attack
Concentric
Having two sets of walls, one inside the other
Crenelation
A notched battlement made up of alternate crenels (openings) and merlons (square sawteeth)
Curtain Wall
A castle wall enclosing a courtyard
Corbel
Stone bracket projecting from the wall or corner to support a beam
Donjon (Keep)
The inner stronghold (keep) of a castle
Drawbridge
A wooden bridge leading to a gateway, capable of being raised or lowered
Drum Tower
A round tower built into a wall
Dungeon
The jail, usually found in one of the towers
Garderobe
Latrine (toilet)... usually built over a river so that waste could be swept away easily
Gate House
The complex of towers, bridges, and barriers to protect each entrance through a castle or town wall
Hall
Principal living quarters of a medieval castle or house
Hoarding
Covered wooden gallery affixed to the top of the outside of a tower or curtain to defend the castle
Loophole
Slit in wall for light, air, or shooting through
Machicolation
A projection in the battlements of a wall with openings through which missiles could be dropped on besiegers
Merlon
Part of a battlement, the square "sawtooth" between crenels
Moat
A deep trench usually filled with water that surrounded a castle
Motte
An earthwork mound on which a castle was built
Murder Holes
A section between the main gate and inner portcullis where arrows, rocks, and hot oil could be dropped from the roof through holes
Oriel or Oriel Window
Projecting room on an upper floor; later an upper-floor bay window
Palisade
A sturdy wooden fence built to enclose a site until a permanent stone wall could be constructed
Parapet
Protective wall at the top of a fortification, around the outer side of the wall-walk
Portcullis
Vertical sliding wooden grille shod with iron in front of a gateway designed to protect the gate
Postern Gate
A secondary gate or door often located at the rear of the castle
Turning Bridge
A drawbridge that pivoted in the middle
Turret
A small tower rising above and resting on one of the main towers, usually used as a lookout point