Castle Research

Bartisan


A Bartisan is a overhanging, wall mounted turret. Most frequently found on corners, they protected a warder and enabled him to see around him.



Moat



a moat is a deep trench, it can either be dry and filled with water and surround a castle, building, or town. Historically a sewage passage for castle waste. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including man made or natural lakes.


Stockade



A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharped to provide security.

parapet walk



A parapet is a wall like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the rood such as a fire wall or party wall.


Postern



A postern is a secondary door or gate, particularly in a fortification such as a city wall or castle curtain wall. Posterns were often located in a concealed location, allowing the occupants to come and go inconspicuously.


Brattice

Small box or machicolation projecting from the wall to reinforce its defense. 

Battlement

Wall allowing defenders of the fortification to fire from a protected position. 

chapel

Place of worship. 

keep

Castle’s main tower, serving as a final stronghold in the event of attack. 

pinnacle

Steeple-shaped ornament atop the keep. 

footbridge

Narrow bridge used to cross the moat and reach the drawbridge. 

barbican

Freestanding defense with arrow slits used to defend the castle’s footbridge. 

rampart

Thick wall that formed the castle’s outer defense. 

drawbridge

Movable bridge that was lowered to allow people to cross the moat and raised to prevent access to the castle. 

machicolation

Balcony made of masonry with apertures in the floor through which projectiles were dropped on assailants. 

guardhouse

Structure serving as living quarters for the guards. 

corbel

Stone projection on a wall to support the top of a tower or wall. 

curtain wall

Stone wall connecting two towers or bastions. 

bailey

Uncovered space bordered by the castle’s buildings and curtain walls.

 covered parapet walk

Covered corridor constructed along a battlement and designed to allow the free movement of guards. 

flanking tower

Defense tower making it possible to fire a shot parallel to the curtain wall. 

turret

Small watchtower. 

castle

Apartments of the lord and his family. 

corner tower

Circular tower allowing surveillance and defense in all directions.