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Boundary and protection wall
- The foremost of all medieval castle defenses was the curtain wall. It was the boundary and protection wall–standing between the interior of the castle complex and the outside world. Note that this was not a medieval innovation: curtain walls existed in ancient Egypt, Rome, and 5th-century Constantinople as well.
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A curtain wall is a protective wall affixed to the outside of a building to protect the structure. During medieval times, curtain walls were one of the most important defense structures used in protecting castles, and today they serve a more basic protective purpose.
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When was a curtain wall first used?
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What is a curtain wall castle?
- Curtain Wall
- Battlement
- Batters Or Plinths
- Towers
- Castle Interior Walls
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The foremost of all medieval castle defenses was the curtain wall. It was the boundary and protection wall–standing between the interior of the castle complex and the outside world. Note that this was not a medieval innovation: curtain walls existed in ancient Egypt, Rome, and 5th-century Constantinople as well. They were actually inspired by the f...
This was the equivalent of a parapet – meaning, it consisted of an extension at the top of the curtain wall that was crennelated. It was a defensive structure that added to the overall fortification of the curtain wall. It was further divided into the following parts:
Also known as a talus, this part of the medieval castle wall was at the base and consisted of a sloping face. This basically means that the bottom part of the wall was thicker than the top half. This gave it better protection, as even big machinery such as siege engines had trouble breaking through this part. Fun fact:when big rocks were dropped fr...
Medieval castle walls had towers built at regular intervals to give the wall better support. They also served the dual purpose of giving a panoramic view of the surroundings, so they were used as guard posts as well. Soldiers posted there would be assigned the task of keeping lookout as well.
Now that we’ve looked at the curtain wall (which makes up the majority of the castle’s fortification), it’s time to see what the interior walls used to be like. Since the exterior of the castle featured stone masonry, it was quite solidly built. This meant that the rooms inside were already adequately sized and rarely ever needed further division. ...
What were motte and bailey castles and what were they made of?
The very first castles that were erected after the Norman invasion used to be built on high mounds known as mottes. The buildings were known as motte-and-bailey castles and were largely constructed from timber. They were protected by a wall of sharpened stakes, known as pallisades. However, these used to catch fire and rot easily, so construction transitioned to stone. These stone castles had so much more defensive viability and they also allowed for the owner to make a grand statement of pro...
How tall were medieval castle walls?
Medieval castle walls typically spanned a height of 30 to 40 feet in order to make it difficult to scale and to keep an adequately tall barrier between siege engines (and eventually cannons) and the interior of the castle. The wall faces were also finished in smooth ashlar masonry so that enemies could not climb up the face easily.
How were medieval castle walls constructed?
The structure of curtain walls in medieval castles basically depended on the strength of their foundation. They needed to be as sturdy as possible in order to provide good support to the walls. Therefore, the base of the foundation was dug all the way to the bedrock, but if that wasn’t a viable option, then a rubble-filled ditch would suffice as well. The wall would rise up from the foundation and be constructed with the help of wooden scaffolding. The core was built from rubble while the fin...
Nov 3, 2023 · A curtain wall is a wall that surrounds a bailey. These walls would be used for centuries, and they would often be up to 3 m thick and 12 m tall. There were many differences between different types in different locations, but castle architecture is generally known for its walls.
Mar 15, 2018 · Curtain Wall or Enceinte- a surrounding outer stone wall around the castle connecting the towers and other fortifications. Was designed to protect the castle. Can be 8-20 feet wide, up to 45 feet high and 1,500 feet long.
Jul 21, 2023 · Curtain wall castles provided a combination of defense, residence, and administration. They were versatile and adaptable, with the ability to accommodate changing needs and architectural styles over time.
Curtain walls were often topped with crenelated battlements, a wall walk, or a hoarding. Most curtain walls were thick, allowing for passages built within them and embrasures carved out in front of arrow loops.
A curtain wall is an exterior covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, instead serving to protect the interior of the building from the elements. Because the curtain wall façade carries no structural load beyond its own dead load weight, it can be made of lightweight materials.
