Middle Ages- The Castle and siege

Question 1

What was a motte and Bailey castle

Answer 1

This was when a fort was built on top of a small hill- called a motte. Then below the motte was a big enclosure called a Bailey where the Lord and his soldiers lived

Question 2

What were the battlements

Answer 2

The battlements were at the top of the keep. Soldiers kept guard on the battlements watching for any enemies

Question 3

What are curtain walls

Answer 3

These are the outer walls of the castle

Question 4

What are turrets

Answer 4

Turrets are strong towers along the walls

Question 5

What was the purpose of the drawbridge

Answer 5

If an enemy was to approach the drawbridge would be pulled up so they couldn’t enter the castle

Question 6

What was a portcullis

Answer 6

This was an iron grille that could be lowered in front of the castle gate

Question 7

What were ramparts

Answer 7

These ran along the tops of the walls and were wide enough for soldiers to walk along

Question 8

What was the moat

Answer 8

The moat was a ditch around the castle filled with water from a nearby stream.

Question 9

What were latrines

Answer 9

Toilets

Question 10

What sort of activities went on in the courtyard, Bailey

Answer 10

The stables were here
Pigeon houses- pigeons were food and could send messages
The kitchen- it was outside because of risk of fire
The forge for the blacksmith
The well which was vital.

Question 11

Why were stone castles so strong

Answer 11

Because at this time there was no gunpowder so castles were hard to defeat

Question 12

What was a siege

Answer 12

When an enemy tried to gain access to the castle by surrounding the castle and stopping anyone going in or out

Question 13

What was a battering ram

Answer 13

It was used to pound the gate of the castle

Question 14

What were catapults used for

Answer 14

To shoot huge boulders or fireballs over the castles curtain walls

Question 15

What was a ballista

Answer 15

Was a giant crossbow used to fire giant arrows

Question 16

What were siege towers

Answer 16

These were like giant enclosed ladders they were used to get near and try to scale the walls

Question 17

Why were tunnels dug under walls

Answer 17

So the curtain walls of the castle would hopefully collapse in on themselves

Question 18

What were siege ladders

Answer 18

These were used to climb walls

Question 19

Who was the most important person in the castle

Answer 19

The Lord

Question 20

What were the stairs like in the keep

Answer 20

The stairs were narrow and steep and also they were spiralled but always circled to the right so that when attackers came up the stairs they would have to fight with their left hand to hold on to the bannister

Question 21

What was on the Middle floor

Answer 21

The great Hall, and minstrels gallery

Question 22

What was on The top floor

Answer 22

The solar Lords private apartments and the chapel

Question 23

What was on the lower floor

Answer 23

The dungeons and the storerooms for food and drink

Question 24

What were the dungeons used for

Answer 24

Holding soldiers who were captured during war before their trial

Question 25

What was a solar

Answer 25

The room which the lady did embroidery and other work

Question 26

How was the great hall heated

Answer 26

With big fires either end of the hall

Question 27

What happened in the great hall

Answer 27

Meals and entertainment
The bailiff collected taxes from peasants
Soldiers were given orders
Criminals were tried

Question 28

What was the keep

Answer 28

The keep was the main building in the castle where the Lord, lady and his family lived. It was a large square tower