Fortresses of the Past: Exploring the World of Medieval Castles

Castle Of Bodiam In East Essex England

    The castle was seen as a powerful symbol of strength and power in the Middle Ages. These massive structures served as both the era's architectural jewels and the protectors of the kingdom. Castles were essentially the centerpieces of medieval life; they hosted the stories of knights from all over the land and their strategic architecture influenced how kingdoms and battles progressed. Now we will look into the world of medieval castles, its rich history, stunning architecture, and the interesting tales that still remain within their walls. 

                                                                Rich History    

Dover Castle In England 

    Medieval castles were built in the 11th century to display their wealth and power to the public. They offered protection from enemies as well as a place to hide if a combat turned bloody (1). Castles were typically built in hills, mountains, or other elevated areas to give them an advantage over their enemies (1). Most of the castles were typically made of stone because it is a strong material that would hold in wars, but this resulted in cold, drafty castles. Due to their size, these enormous buildings were frequently not as clean as they should have been (2). Every known castle that we have heard of had a drawbridge and a moat, which is a deep ditch filled with water that allowed the castle's guards to determine who could enter and leave (2). The safest part of the castle is a tower in the middle, and during those times they used it to store food (2). However, there is another type of tower that was called the battlements, and this one's use was to protect those defending the castle from attackers and it also helped them see their enemies. In addition to serving as a place of defense against various threats, castles were also used for celebrations. For example, if they won a battle, a feast would be held there, and if there was a religious holiday, it would be observed there. The hunts that are depicted in historical literature also often take place in castles.

                                           The Stories That Lived On

    As a result of the numerous battles, marriages, historical events, and other events that took place there, many stories still exist within the walls of these castles. Based on oral traditions and local legend, many of these tales continue to be told today.  These methods have been used to pass on various tales and traditions about castles over the years. Because of these factors they start to blend in with the local culture as well as the areas in which they are found. There are two tales that to this day still have people talking about them and the first one resides in the Tower of London in 1483, Edward V and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury mysteriously disappeared. Many opinions and theories have been made regarding the actual fate of these young princes, but it is still a mystery to this day (4). 

                               Short video and general information about castles

                                               .Mini Guide To Medieval Castles (3)

    

citations 

1. Cartwright, M. (2023, April 28). Medieval castle. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Medieval_Castle/

2.Castles of the Middle Ages. Castles of the Middle Ages | PlaygroundEquipment.com. (n.d.-a). https://www.playgroundequipment.com/castles-of-the-middle-ages/

3.Medieval castles. English Heritage. (n.d.-a). https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/medieval-castles/

4.The princes in the tower. Historic Royal Palaces. (n.d.). https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-princes-in-the-tower/#:~:text=The%20Duke%20immediately%20placed%20Edward,were%20never%20seen%20alive%20again.