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Castle (Building constructed)

a building constructed for the purpose of repelling attack. The castella left by the Romans in Great Britain and elsewhere were constructed on the general model of their stationary encampments (castra stativa), and though they may have suggested the castles of the Middle Ages, they differed from them in being designed for military purposes only, and not also as places of permanent residence. The Norman castles were generally surrounded by a moat or ditch; and in order that the ditch might be readily filled with water the site chosen was usually either on the banks of a river or on a peninsula running into a lake; on the inner side of the ditch mounds were constructed, which were surmounted with walls and towers, both of which, but particularly the latter, were supplied with battlements and bastions. The entrance-gates were also protected by towers, which were usually of great strength. The communication was by a bridge, some-