Castles Flashcards
What do you call a fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East by the nobility?
A Castle
What do you call a tower that was wheeled across the wall so arrows could be fired down into the castle?
A belfry tower
What was a catapult or a trebuchet used for?
To fire rocks, dung or rotting animals into the castle.
What does a ballista do?
It fires burning arrows into the castle?
What does a battering ram do?
You use it to break down walls.
What is a mantel?
A large shield to protect soldiers.
What were the methods used to attack the castle?
Belfry tower, catapults, ballista, battering ram and mantels. Also, poison the water supply, starvation, ladders.
Other than defence, what was a castle used for?
As the home for the lord, his family, servants, and soldiers.
What is a ditch surrounding the castle filled with water or stakes?
Moat
What is a gate that could be raised or lowered?
Drawbridge
What is a stone tower - the strongest part of the castle?
The Keep
What is a stone wall surrounding a castle?
The Curtain Wall
What are wooden defences built on the town called?
The Hoardings.
What are murder holes?
Holes in the walls used to drop boiling water on the enemy?
What are machicolations?
Holes to drop things onto the enemy.
What is an indentation in the castle walls used to fire arrows from called?
Crenel
Name some castle defences? (Things used to defend a castle.)
Most, drawbridge, loopholes, hoardings, murder holes, and the keep.
Where were castles built?
On a cliff or hill or on islands or lakes.
Why were castles built on a hill?
So attackers had to go uphill.
Why were castles built on an island or lake?
So they had water and attackers would sink in the water or mud.
What is a concentric castle?
A castle with two or more curtain walls around it. The inner one is higher and the outer is lower.
