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A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.
Jun 14, 2018 · The hall keep was a low building while the tower keep or donjon could have three or more floors and be topped by turrets and battlements. With its extra thick walls and protected entrance, the keep was generally the safest place in a castle during the siege warfare of the 11th and 12th century CE.
- Mark Cartwright
Learn about the history and types of keeps, the strongest part of a medieval castle. Find out how they evolved from timber to stone and circular to polygonal designs.
Learn about keep, the strongest part of a castle, from Britannica's experts. Find out how keeps evolved from round towers to square towers, and see famous examples of keeps in England and France.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Feb 14, 2023 · Learn about the evolution and functions of the medieval keep, the fortified tower at the center of the castle complex. Discover the different shapes, features, and rooms of the keep and how it was used by the lord and lady.
Learn about the castle keep, a fortified tower that was the heart of a medieval castle complex. Discover its strategic, residential, and symbolic roles, its evolution from timber to stone, and its architectural elements.
Learn about the medieval castle keep, the most important part of a castle that served as a residence, a dungeon and a defence tower. Find out how castle keeps were built of wood or stone, who lived in them and how they changed over time.
