We have been looking week by week at how castles were built in medieval times. For reference I am using the Haynes Manual of The Medieval Castle which chronicles the creation of a medieval-style castle at Guédelon in France, using only medieval tools and methods.
I thought it would be good to pause and have a look at this actual castle. The picture below is a photo of two pages in the book - that's why it's crooked!
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Guédelon Castle under construction |
Entry to the castle is from the south across a fixed bridge (only kings or major towns used drawbridges) through the twin-towered gatehouse. Kidwelly Castle, for example, in my husband’s home town has a magnificent twin-towered gatehouse.
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Kidwelly Castle gatehouse |
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Oystermouth Castle |
Above the chapel is a lookout post with a conical roof. The north east tower is the Great Tower, much larger than the others.
Opposite the gatehouse is the north range which contains the great hall and the antechamber which is the lord’s chamber. Almost everyone else would sleep in the great hall. There is a wooden walkway high along the curtain wall, which rests on putlogs inserted into the stone wall. There is a postern gate at the rear of the hall.
Guédelon Castle |
[adapted from The Medieval Castle Haynes Manual by Charles Phillips]
Ann Marie Thomas is the author of four medieval history books, a surprisingly cheerful poetry collection about her 2010 stroke, and the science fiction series Flight of the Kestrel. Book one, Intruders, and book two Alien Secrets, are out now. Follow her at http://eepurl.com/bbOsyz
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