Castlefreak's Kingdom

Castle Terms - C

2009-11-30T14:57:00.001-06:00

CAPHOUSE: gabled turret, often containing a stair-head.

CARPENTER: a skilled craftsman who shaped or made things of wood.

CASTLELAN: a person in charge of the castle. Custodian.

CASTLELLATION: battlements. Implying use as decorative feature.

CASTLE: properly fortified military residence. Derived from the Latin castellum.

CAVALIER TOWER: a square wall-tower astride a curtain to provide additional living space.

CHAMFER: beveled face formed by cutting off corner of stone or timber structure.

CAPITAL: head of a column.

CAPUT: feudal term for the administrative center of a lordship.

CHIVALRY: rules of polite and honorable behavior that knights were supposed to follow.

CONCENTRIC: castles having two parallel lines of defence, the outer wall closely surrounding the inner.

CONSTABLE: title of governor of the castle: also warden, captain, castellan.

CORBEL: projecting stone (or timber) feature on a wall to support an overhanging parapet, platform, turret, etc.

COUNTERSCARP: outer slope of a defensive ditch.

CRENELLATION: fortification- a "license to crenellate" was official permission to raise a fortified building or fortify an existing structure. Jagged protective stonework at the top of a castle wall.

CRENELS: low sections of the battlements.

CREASING: groove in a wall face insuring a weather proof junction with a roof or chimney which abuts it.

CROSSLET/CROSSLIT: a loophole arranged in the form of a cross.

CRUCK: curved timber from ground to roof ridge to support the roof.

CULB: bowl.

CURTAIN: wall enclosing a bailey, courtyard, or ward, generally constructed in stone.

CUSP: projecting point usually in the upper portion of a tracery window and often seen in ogee-headed windows.

CUSTO: temporary custodian or governor of a castle or lordship.

8KMZ39BH6XDH

Urquhart Castle

2009-01-12T14:17:00.000-06:00

Urquhart sits on the Loch Ness and was once one of Scotland's largest castles. It guarded one of the main routes between the Atlantic and North Sea coasts of Scotland. It was a great site of natural defense. The castle has been in ruins for over 200 years. Urquhart is thought to have been a royal castle in the 12th century during the rein of William the Lion. In 1296 Edward the 1st, also known as Longshanks, seized and fortified the castle. In 1297 it was recaptured by the Scots and Andrew de Moray. In 1303 it was taken again by the English. When Robert the Bruce became King of Scotland in 1306 and the castle belonged to Scotland again, Robert the Bruce gave the castle to his nephew, Thomas Randolph. Urquhart Castle changed hands many times in a period of 400 years. In 1912 it was turned over to state for care and stabilization. Restoration began and today Urquhart Castle is a great tourist attraction.

Castle Terms - B

2008-10-08T16:31:00.000-05:00

BAILEY: defended courtyard or ward of a castle. Open area enclosed by the castle walls. A ward.

BALLISTA: early missile weapons resembling large crossbow on a carriage, firing metal bolts, arrows or stone slugs.

BALUSTRADE: ornamental parapet of posts and railing.

BARBICAN: fortified outwork defending the gate of a castle or town.

BAR-HOLE: holes behind door to receive timber bar used as door bolt.

BARMKIN: Scottish term for defended courtyard of a castle. Also, the wall enclosing such an area.

BARONIAL CASTLE: a private castle.

BARREL VAULT: A vault in the shape of a half barrel split lengthways.

BARTIZAN: overhanging corner turret. Small turret.

BASE-COURT: the outer or lower ward of a castle.

BASEMENT: a secure storage space.

BASTION: an open projecting work, at the corner of a fortification.

BASTEL-HOUSE: a poor mans pele. A small stone house with provisions for cattle on the ground floor, and living quarters above with small protected windows.

BATTER: inward and upward slope of a external wall.

BATTLEMENT: jagged stonework protecting the wall walk.

BAWN: bailey or ward. A defended courtyard of a castle.

BEAR: a tower similar to the belfry.

BELFRY: siege tower; wooden tower mounted on wheels or rollers, often covered with wet hides as protection against fire. Many had drop-bridges at the top, so that attackers could fight their way across on to the towers or wall walks.

BELLCOTE: Small gabled or roofed housing for a bell.

BENEFICE: source of income.

BERM: flat area between base of wall and edge of ditch or moat.

BESIEGE: surrounding a castle in order to cut off its supplies and make the occupants surrender.

BOSS: an ornamental projection covering the intersection of the ribs in a vault.

BRATTICING: wooden housing erected on top of walls. When erected on top of towers, sometimes also known as "war-head".

BRETASCH: Wooden tower or wooden defence.

BOLT: a short arrow fired from a crossbow.

BOON DAY: compulsory work day when manor workers helped in the lord's fields.

BORE: iron-tipped battering ram for attacking masonry, also known as pick.

BOTTLER: a person who presided over the buttery.

BOWER: the lady's apartment, or suite. Withdrawing-room and sleeping apartment.

BRATTICE: a wooden perimeter defence.

BRESSUMER: beam that supports the hoarding. A massive beam spanning an opening.

BUTLER: a person in charge of the bottles of beer and wine.

BUTTERY: room where wine was dispensed from barrels.

BOTTLERY: Usually located between the hall and the kitchen. A store room for provisions.

BUTTRESS: thickening of a wall for strength and support.

BUTTS: targets for town archery practice.

Kilchurn Castle

2008-10-05T16:21:00.000-05:00

The keep was built in 1440 by Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy. The north and south sides of the building were erected in 1693 by Ian, Earl of Breadalbane. This Scottish castle was occupied by the Breadalbanes until 1740. In 1746 Hanoverian troops took the castle.

Scotland's Greatest Hero

2008-10-02T14:39:00.000-05:00

William Wallace was one of 3 sons of Sir Malcolm Wallace. He was born around 1272 in Elerslie, Scotland.

Wallace grew up to be a tall man of 6'7" and very strong. The average height of men at this time was just over 5' so Wallace seemed like a giant to all. Also during these times 'middle aged' was 20-25 years of age so to become a leader would mean being born into the rank or like in Wallace's case, earn the rank in battles. Wallace showed great strength, stamina, endurance, courage and great skill in handling a sword or dagger. He was a trained horseman, as well. Wallace was educated by the Church as it was tradition for the eldest son of a family to inherit lands and titles, and the younger sons to follow the education of the Church. There Wallace would learn of politics and languages.

At the time of Wallace's birth, Alexander III had been on Scotland's throne for over twenty years. During his reign the people of Scotland saw peace, economic stability and prosperity. He had successfully defended Scotland from English claims. King Edward I (Longshanks) came to the throne of England in 1272 and became Wallace's deadliest enemy. Wallace's father was killed in a battle with English troops in 1291, which likely contributed to Wallace's lifelong desire to fight for Scotland's independence.

A new struggle for control of Scotland began at the death of Alexander III in 1286. He left as his heir, a grandchild, Margaret, who was the infant daughter of the King of Norway. Longshanks, wanting complete control of Scotland suggested that Margaret marry his son, brought forth at a treaty in 1295. The terms of the treaty were that Scotland was to remain a separate and independent kingdom and Longshanks was to keep a number of Scottish castles. When the young Margaret died, all plans changed and Longshanks decided to take advantage of the situation. He greatly underestimated Scotland's desire for freedom.

After a five month campaign, Edward I conquered Scotland in 1297. He appointed agents to keep peace in Scotland and declared himself ruler of Scotland. There was wide-spread disorder and defiance against the English in all of Scotland. William Wallace involved himself in many small fights and quickly became the King's enemy. His following quickly grew due to his strength and great leadership qualities. Wallace and his volunteer army marched through Scotland driving many invaders out of Scotland. Eventually they reached Aberdeen and destroyed the fleet of 100 English ships.

In September of 1297 William Wallace marched his following and other patriots of Scotland to Stirling Bridge, where they faced the English force of 1,000 heavy cavalry and 50,000 foot soldiers. The Scottish Army fought and defeated Longshanks and his army with home made weapons such as knives, axes, and wooden spears. They fought with all their might for their freedom.

In 1298, Longshanks and his 90,000-strong army attacked a much smaller Scottish force led by Wallace at Falkirk. As many as 10,000 Scots were killed that day and and Wallace's military reputation had been ruined. He retreated to the thick woods and it is said that he went to France. Little is known of his activities during 1299 to 1303.

In 1305, Wallace was betrayed by a Scottish knight in service to the English king and was arrested near Glasgow. He was tried for wartime murder of civilians; accused of sparing neither age nor sex, monk nor nun. He was condemned as a traitor to the King of England, although he had never sworn allegiance to Longshanks. On August 23, 1305, Wallace was executed in a very barbaric manner. At that time and for the next 550 years, the punishment for treason was hanging by the neck, but not til dead, and then disembowled while still alive. Wallace was then beheaded and his body divided into 4 parts. His head was impaled on a spike and displayed at London Bridge and his arms and legs were placed strategically at the 4 corners of Britain as a warning to all.

Almost immediately, Robert the Bruce revived the rebellion against England that would win Scotland it's independence. He was crowned King of Scotland in 1306.

Castle Terms - A

2008-09-26T21:47:00.000-05:00

ABUTMENT: solid masonry placed to counteract the lateral thrust of a bridge, arch, or vault.

ADULTERINE: an unlicensed castle.

ALLURE: wall walk along the top of a curtain.

ANGLE-SPUR: buttress rising at the angle of a square tower to support a round superstructure.

APSE: semi-circular projection. Tower that is round fronted or u-shaped.

ARBALEST: crossbow.

ARBALESTIER: crossbow-man. Arbalist.

ARCADE: a range of arches.

ARCH: the head of an opening.

ARMOURY: a weapons storage room.

ARROW SLIT: narrow slit in castle walls for firing arrows.

ASHLAR: building stone neatly trimmed to shape. Stone with cut flat surface.

ATILLIATOR: skilled castle worker who made crossbows.

ATTAINDER: forfeiture of hereditary honours and dignities following a conviction for treason.

AUMBRY: a mural cupboard for storing valuables.

Medieval Food & Beverage

2008-09-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

Meals were served 3 times a day. Breakfast consisted of bread and cheese at daybreak. The evening meal, served at sundown, consisted of bread and cheese and possibly a small dish such as a stew. Supper, served around mid-day and considered to be the main meal, consisted of meats, pastries, bread, wine or ale, fruits, cheeses and nuts.

A feast, consisted of beef, pork, mutton, venison, poultry, fish, eggs, bread, milk, cheeses, vegetables and ample supply of wine, ale, cider and mead. Many feasts included as many as 6000 guests! For this large gathering, as much as 2000 pigs, 100 sheep, 300 calves, 500 deer, 2000 geese, and 13,000 dishes of jelly, tarts, custards and pastries, 300 tons of ale and 100 tons of wine were needed! And I didn't even mention every food item!

In the spring and summer, food was abundant and included starlings, vultures, gulls, herons, storks, cormorants, swans, cranes, peacocks, capons, and chickens, dogfish, porpoises, seals, whale, haddock, cod, salmon, sardines, lamprey, dolphins and tunnies, as well as mullet, sole, shad, flounder, plaice, ray, mackerel, trout, crab, crayfish and oysters. Fruits were also eaten, as well as onions, garlic, peas, and beans. Roasts, stews and soups were the preferred dishes of a meal.

In the winter food was scarse so beef was dried during the rest of the year so it could be stored for winter. Pigeons were raised and bred during the year and when winter came they were eaten. Fish was salted or smoked so it could be preserved for longer.

If you were among the lower class, you weren't as blessed with food as the lord and his guests. All through the year, not just during the winter, your main food supply would be vegetables and breads (the breads not suitable for upper class), porridge, fish, cheese curds, beer or ale. Surprisingly, the lower class seemed to escape a variety of health problems that the upper class had an abundance of. These health problems were scurvy, tooth decay, heart problems, skin problems, and infections.

Stirling Castle

2008-09-26T21:30:00.000-05:00

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's greatest castles, probably the most famous especially since "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson. Stirling Castle and Sir William Wallace played a very prominent role in Scotland's struggle for independence. The castle standing today is recorded to have been built between 1370 and 1750 in various stages. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned here in 1543, as well as her son, James IV in 1566.

Kilkenny Castle

2008-09-21T20:26:00.000-05:00

Kilkenny Castle, sits atop high grounds at the SE end of Co. Kilkenny in Ireland. It rests beside the River Nore. It was built in the 13th century, replacing an earlier fortress built by Strongbow. Today, the structure forms 3 sides of a quadrangle and 3 of the 4 original round corner towers remain.

In the 14th century the castle was the main seat of the Butlers, the Earls and Dukes of Ormonde and during that time changed from medieval castle to restored chateau to Victorian country house.

Kilkenny Castle saw its last struggle in the Civil War of 1922, when it was taken over by Anti-Treatyites (who opposed the treaty with Britain dividing Ireland). But they surrendered peaceably after two days.

Dunvegan Castle

2008-09-20T20:29:00.000-05:00

Resting in the Highlands of Scotland, this fortress was the seat of the Clan MacLeod for over 700 years. It sits in a very strategic location on the Loch Dunvegan, surrounded on 3 sides by perilous rocky cliffs and on the 4th side a deep cut moat. The only entrance to the castle was an ancient sea-gate facing the loch. This castle was virtually impregnable, explaining the fitness and excellent condition of the castle.

Over the centuries, much had been added to the castle. The most distinctive structure at this castle dates to the 14th century, built by Malcolm, the 3rd chief of the clan. This great 50 ft. tall keep with 10 ft. thick walls served as the dungeon tower, contained vaulted basements, the great hall private apartments and sleeping chambers.

In about 1500, the Fairy Tower was built by Alasdair Crotach, the 8th chief of the clan. It is purely a residential tower. The tower name was derived from the oldest valuable relic of the clan's past- The Fairy Flag. The Fairy Flag is said to have magical powers that have ensured the clan's stronghold of Dunvegan. The flag supposedly will protect the clan from disaster but only on 3 occasions. It is said to have the ability to ensure fertility for couples placing it on their beds and can bring herring into the loch. It is also said that Alasdair Crotach used the flag's magic on 2 occasions, so the clan has only one chance left to use it's powers. Of course, there are other stories that say the clan has used all of the flag's magic!

Remodeling took place in the 17th, 18th and 19 centuries, adding exterior turrets and the observation tower and the only major repair to the castle was done in 1790 when the castle was re-roofed.

Carrickfergus Castle

2008-09-17T17:19:00.000-05:00

Carrickfergus Castle is one of Ireland's oldest castles. Building began around the year 1180 by John DeCourcy. The castle sits beside the sea on the edge of Belfast Lough. This castle has a portcullis, a 4 story, 90 ft. high keep, a rampart walk, a square tower and a banquet hall. It also has a stone spiral staircase from the ground to the roof and has it's own well of almost 40 ft. deep. The dungeon once held a prisoner, Con O'Neill, who escaped after his wife sent him a large cheese, in which a rope was placed inside. King John slept in the castle when he came to Ireland in 1210 and King William of Orange landed there in 1690 on his way to the "Battle of the Boyne." The castle was used as a prison in the 18th century and as an air raid shelter for the townsfolk during WW2. The castle has been restored to an excellent condition and is open to the public for touring.

Durham Castle

2008-09-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

Built in the 11th and early 12th centuries, is the largest and best example of Norman-style (motte and bailey) architecture in England. The oldest part of this castle is the Norman Chapel which was built in 1072. Durham's Cathedral Church of Christ is the last resting place of St. Cuthbert, St. Bede and the head of St. Oswald.

The stone used in building the castle is sandstone with red markings of iron deposits. The carvings in this chapel depict pagan gods. (I can't find any other information about the carvings.) This castle was buried in rubble at one time but was excavated in the late 1800's.

In 1837 the castle was turned into University of Durham and for years it housed the entire University. The University quickly out-grew it's space so the castle became University College, Durham, a residential community.

Blarney Castle

2008-09-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

Blarney Castle, located in Ireland, is the home of the famous Blarney Stone, which if kissed could get you the "gift of the gab," meaning that you would be priveleged of telling lies for seven years. Queen Elizabeth I, coined the phrase when she was fed up with Lord Blarney's incessant talk and not ever agreeing to her demands.

To kiss the stone, you must bend over backward and lower yourself down about 2 feet at the top of the castle.

Blarney is a tower house and was built about 1466 on solid limestone. The castle is in ruin, but is a great tourist attraction. It has a very narrow spiral staircase, which was made to disable enemies from ascending more than one at a time, therefore protecting residents. Windows were also very narrow slits to allow arrows to be shot from inside but making it very difficult, if not impossible to shoot an arrow through from the outside. Photo to the right shows view of window from inside castle.

Eilean Donan Castle

2008-09-14T15:12:00.000-05:00

This castle is one of the most visited attractions in the Scottish Highlands! It is absolutely one of my favorites!

Eilean Donan means "Island on Donan." In approx. 600 A.D. St. Donan lived on this island where the lochs Long, Duich and Alsh meet. The castle was first fortified during the reign of Alexander II,(1214 - 1250) and in 1263 Alexander III gave the castle to Colin Fitzgerald, son of the earl of Desmond and Kildare, (the MacKenzies.) This was the MacKenzies' most important stronghold from the 13th century and was partially destroyed in 1719. It lay in ruins for 200 years before the island was purchased and the castle restored to it's former glory.

Tools Used In Building A Castle

2008-09-14T00:09:00.000-05:00

I have received many requests for information regarding tools and equipment used in building a castle. Many tools went into the building of a castle. Here is a list of some of the common tools used.

Auger - used for drilling holes in wood

Axe - used for cutting down small trees or cutting firewood

Adz - heavy, curved tool used for dressing timbers

Awl - used for peircing small holes

Basket - used to hold stone while it was hoisted at a building site

Billhook - used for pruning

Braces - used for holding, or bracing items in place

Cloth Shears - used for cutting cloth

Crowbar - used for moving heavy stones at a quarry and placing stones in their final resting places

Hammer - used to move stone and drive wood pegs

Handsaw - used to make small wood cuts and other woodworking detail

Mallet - used with a chisel to carve wood or stone

Mason Chisel - used to carve decorative designs into the stones, and for cutting and dressing stone

Nippers - used to cut through wire

Pitch Fork - used to move bundles of hay

Pulleys - used to move large blocks of stone and heavy timbers

Ramps - used for moving heavy items

Sharp Blades - used to cut through leather

Shears - used for cutting fleece from sheep

Shovels - used for digging

Spades - used for cutting and digging

Sickle - used for cutting crops

Snips - used for cutting sheets of metal

Trowel - used for laying and smoothing mixed mortar on stone or brick

Tongs - used for holding metal while being hammered

Wood Chisel - used for shaping and cutting designs into the wood, or splitting wood

What Is A Castle?

2008-09-13T22:02:00.000-05:00

A castle isn't a castle just because it looks like a castle. A true castle was the residence of a lord, king or baron which was fortified to resist attack and protect from the enemy. Castles were built also as a symbol of power.

Castles were first brought to England from France by William the Conqueror around 1066. I'm not familiar with castles from France, Germany or any other country to be able to give any info on their origin, so if someone knows something about it, please let me know.

The site for a castle was chosen with several things in mind. The site had to offer natural obstacles, such as a hillside which would make it difficult for the enemy to climb. On the hillside, the castle guards were able to see approaching invaders. Good water and good pasture for cattle was a necessity if they wanted to feed the residents of the castle. Materials for building the castle had to be available as well.

Many professionals were hired and paid highly for their skills in building a castle. These professionals were masons, cutters, layers, other skilled workmen, carts, wagons, boats for transporting materials, quarrymen, smiths and carpenters. Building a castle was expensive and workers were not paid promptly. It took many years to build a castle. On average, a castle rose 10 or 12 feet each year.

Many materials were needed in building a castle. Earth was used for creating the moat. Limestone was commonly used because it was soft when first quarried and then it hardened quickly after exposure to the air. Brick was used in later years when and where clay was plentiful and quarries were too far from the site. Huge amounts of sand, limestone, and water were used to make mortar for bonding brick and stone. Timber was used for scaffolding, wooden floors, roof beams, window shutters, and panelling etc. Iron and steel were needed for nails and tools. Window glass and plaster were not required to strengthen the castle, but were used for decor and functionality.

The first castles were simple in design. They were called motte and bailey castles. The motte was an earthen mound topped by a wood framed tower. The bailey was a large area of land, a courtyard, which was enclosed by another mound and placed next to the motte. The bailey was used for activities such as stables and livestock, workshops, household chores. The tower was used for observation. The motte and bailey castle wasn't very strong because it could burn and rot. Then the construction of stone castles began. Stone castles were stronger because they didn't rot or burn and were able to withstand battle. Walls were 8 to 20 feet in thickness to withstand attack, battering rain, or catapult. Over time, the design of the towers changed from square shaped to round, because they were considered more sturdy and couldn't be undermines as easily as the squared tower.

Undermining was a method used in pulling down a tower. The enemy would dig a tunnel under one corner of the tower and prop it up with wood and set it on fire. The wood would burn so the tower would become unstable and fall to the ground. Sometimes the wood would fall before the enemy could get out of the tunnel.

The round shaped tower was introduced by the Norman knight, William Marshall. The round shaped tower was much more effective in battle although it was harder to build. Some castles used a splayed plinth, like piers or legs into the earth at the base so it couldn't fall or lean.
The curtain wall became thicker over time. It was intersected at various points by different types of towers, most were for observation but some were also living quarters, chapels, storage or housed the dungeon.

The gatehouse was just a simple doorway and was the only way in and out, but soon became the strong points of many castles. The gatehouse was equipped with many defensive techniques such as a heavy iron gate with bars that was lowered to block the entrance, also known as the portcullis. Heavy wooden doors that could be barred, arrow slits in the stone walls, murder holes from which boiling liquids or fire balls etc. could be thrown down onto attackers, were among those defense tactics.

Outside the castle there were also many added features to provide security and strength. Most castles were surrounded by a ditch, or moat, which were very deep, cut into the bedrock or earth around the main part of the castle. Many ditches were filled with water and some were not. Even those that had no water in them were as difficult to cross as the water filled moats because they were very steep and deep.

Wooden drawbridges were built for crossing moats. They were designed to be moved away from the ditch to prevent unwanted visitors from gaining access to the castle. Sometimes a wooden ladder was used to gain entry by way of some of the towers, but could be removed quickly to prevent unwanted access. Sometimes more than one ditch and drawbridge were made to make unwanted access even more difficult. The construction of fortified castles steadily declined during the 15th and 16th centuries, except for Scotland where the tower house was very popular.

The development of firearms and the use of gunpowder ended the castle's endurance. Even the castles that lasted through cannon battles did not survive long after the English Civil War because it was policy to disable captured castles. By 1650 most of the great castles were rendered useless.