Castle

a strongly fortified residence, such as was occupied by the nobility of the Middle Ages. Castles were a prominent feature of feudalism, and, as such, were built throughout western Europe. It is considered probable that they grew out of the old Roman camp, or defence thrown up for the temporary protection of the legions; but the castle differed essentially from the camp in that it was a place of residence, as well as a stronghold. The Normans brought the art of castle building to its greatest perfection. One reason why William the Conqueror subdued England so readily was a lack of English fortresses built on the Norman plan.

Castles were, of course, of various sizes and shapes. The smaller were large enough merely for the accommodation of a family, a few domestics, and a handful of men. The more pretentious castles of the war lords were provided with storehouses, stables, and barracks for the accommodation of a small army of men and horses, and were provisioned to withstand a long siege.

Inasmuch as any stone stronghold was called a castle, it is difficult to give a description that applies to all. Castles were perched, if possible, on some rocky eminence,--a river bank, or at least a bit of rising ground. The entire works were surrounded by a deep moat or ditch. The moat was filled with water in time of danger. The site of the castle was chosen often with a view to filling the moat from a nearby stream or lake. The castle of Loch Leven, Scotland, was built on a small island. In case the site was a peninsula, it was necesary to construct a moat across the isthmus only.

Around the inner edge of the moat a high wall of masonry was constructed. Speaking of the Norman castles built in England, this wall was eight or ten feet thick, and from twenty to thirty feet high. The top was wide enough for two or three men to walk abreast. A stone parapet or battlement ran around the outer edge to protect the defenders. Sometimes it overhung, so that stones and molten lead could be dropped on besiegers who undertook to undermine the walls below. It was provided usually with embrasures or gaps, through which arrows, darts, and stones might be discharged upon the besiegers. The lower edge of the embrasure was ordinarily breast high. There were also narrow portholes behind which archers might stand in security. Projecting towers were built at the corners. The moat was crossed by means of a wooden drawbridge, hinged at its inner end. Chains wound on a windlass in the tower enabled the keeper of the drawbridge to pull up the outer end until the platform stood erect, thus making it necessary for besiegers to plunge through the moat in order to reach the castle walls.

The gateway was fortified with great care. There was usually an outbuilding, called a barbican, which must be taken by besiegers before they could reach the gate proper. The roadway was flanked by massive stone towers, united overhead in an arch. In addition to strong folding doors studded with metal, the passage was defended by a portcullis, a heavy frame sliding in grooves in the stonework on either side of the gateway. It was raised by means of a windlass, and could be let drop at a moment's notice. The defenders of a castle sometimes resorted to the dangerous experiment of raising the portcullis and allowing as many besiegers to enter as could be handled safely; then dropping it again. Within this outer wall was an open court, known as the outer bailey. A second wall constructed like the first, only thicker and higher, and pierced by a gateway similarly defended, separated the outer bailey from a second court, known as the inner bailey.

Within the inner bailey stood the keep, a massive four-story stronghold with enormous towers and battlemented walls. The keep of the Tower of London, begun by William the Conqueror, is 100 feet square and four stories high. Its walls are fifteen feet in thickness. The keep of Rochester Castle, also four stories in height, is surmounted by lofty turrets running a story higher. The keep was entered by a single doorway, so small that a few men could repel the attacks of many. The basement, known as the dungeon, or donjon, was used for the confinement of captives. It was without light or ventilation. The first floor of the keep was occupied by soldiers' apartments and a guard room, mess room, etc. It was lighted by very small, narrow windows, easily defended. The second and third floors were provided with larger windows. The state chambers, including the great dining hall, were situated usually on the second floor; the private apartments of the family and private chapel were on the upper or fourth floor.

In order to take a castle of this type, therefore, it was necessary to pass the moat, gain the barbican and outer doorway, storm the second wall, and lastly to gain possession of the keep, the strongest building of all. Not infrequently the entrance to the latter turned at right angles, or wound upward in a spiral, rendering it easy of defense. Sometimes the floors were built of thick stonework, so that the defenders could retire from story to story, making their last stand on the upper floor. For the want of gunpowder or other explosives with which to blow up stonework, the taking of a strong castle was practically an impossibility. Unless betrayed by treachery, or starved out, a garrison could make good the defense for an indefinite length of time. In addition to wells for the ordinary use of the garrison, keeps of this description were provided sometimes with a central well, surrounded by strong walls, so that water might be drawn only from the upper story. In fact, the keep was the essential part of a castle. Many castles of no little strength had no outer defenses. Sometimes the chapel, barracks, residence portion, and keep formed part of the outer walls.

A sort of glamor surrounds castle life. In reality, however, a castle was a comfortless place of abode. The thickness of the walls prevented the entrance of much light. The interior was gloomy, dark, damp, and poorly ventilated. The inhabitants were subject to neuralgia and many diseases which sanitary precautions now render infrequent. The furniture of the nobility was of the rudest description. The soldiers slept usually in their clothing on straw. Despite gay pennons, uniforms, brilliant trappings, and martial music, the interior of the castle was oftentimes as squalid as the lodge of a typical Indian. It is only in contrast with the wretched huts of the village, usually found at the foot of the castle hill, that the castle itself can be accounted a desirable place of residence.

As stated, castles in various states of preservation are to be seen all over Europe. Ruined castles may be seen by the score from almost any railway train. A locality without its ivy-covered castle walls is lacking, indeed, in historical associations. The Danube and the Rhine, especially the banks of the latter, are noted for magnificent castles. Special articles may be found on WARWICK, KENILWORTH, TOWER OF LONDON, WINDSOR, EDINBURGH and DUMBARTON. Sir Walter Scott has made much of the castle. "Norham's castled steep" and "Tantallon's towers bold" are described in the first, fifth, and sixth cantos of Marmion. A description of Front-de-Boeuf's smaller castle may be gleaned from chapters xxi-xxx of Ivanhoe.

See Feudalism