Feudal castle in medieval Europe. Medieval castles: structure and siege

Indeed, everyone has their own associations with ancient castles. But what do we know about their design and the purpose for which they were built? How did they serve those who lived outside their walls?

Although medieval castles look mysterious, their construction served specific purposes.
We have been familiar with castles since childhood, when we were read fairy tales before bed. Many people imagine the castle as a sparkling mansion in which a princess lives happily

In reality, not all castles are decorated with gold and precious stones. Those that were erected in the medieval era served a specific purpose - to protect the people outside their walls

Nowadays, castles can be museums or residences of the royal family. However, in the distant past these were impregnable fortresses used in times of war. The planning of the castle involved protection from enemies

When you think of a castle's first line of defense, you probably imagine a moat filled with water. Indeed, the castle was separated from the surrounding area by a moat. But he didn’t always stop his enemies.

The biggest fear of castle designers was that enemies would dig under the walls to get into the castle. But the ditch made this impossible - water immediately flooded any tunnels

In some castles, the moat was not outside the castle, but was located between the first and second walls. Thus, whoever started digging a tunnel soon received an unpleasant surprise

Speaking of unpleasant surprises, ditches did not exist solely to keep the enemy from digging tunnels. The moats were also intended to allow people living in the castle to dump their waste into it.

There were other ways to defend the castle. One of the oldest traditions was concentric circles of defense. Looking at this structure from above, you can see that several rows of thick walls really make taking the castle very difficult

The concentric circles of defense present a series of obstacles. When we look at medieval castles today, their layout may seem familiar to us. But at the time they were built, it was a real innovation.

For those attacking the castle, this meant that the army had to overcome one obstacle after another, which slowed their progress. First there was a wall, behind it was a ditch, behind which there was another wall, and so on...

The main gate of a castle can look impressive. This is how modern people perceive them. But in ancient times, the main gate was more than intimidating. They were simply deadly

Often the main gate consisted of two barriers. If enemies passed through the first entrance, they could fall into a trap located between the first and second gates. So the breakthrough was not always successful

A trap awaits enemies in the castle towers. There are narrow gaps in the walls that allowed the defenders to shoot the attackers

But the secret fortifications of the castles do not end there. Stairwells played an important role. Most are designed narrow and arranged in a clockwise spiral. There was an important reason for this too

They were designed so that soldiers climbing them would have their right hand closer to the wall. Thus, the stairs prevented them from using weapons

But the inhabitants of the castle knew well the location of the cramped and narrow staircases, which gave them maximum benefit if the enemy suddenly penetrated the castle

Secret corridors were also an important part of any castle. They served various purposes and were one of the means of salvation for those who lived in the castle

Through secret corridors one could get to rooms in which local residents had the opportunity to hide. In the event of a siege, food supplies were stored here

Sometimes secret passages could be used to reach reserve wells if attackers penetrated the castle walls and poisoned the water supplies. Although castles may look ostentatious, they were important military fortresses.

If we talk about the secrets of medieval castles, this is only a small part of them

The design and forethought of these fortresses was unique. It’s even difficult to understand what complex structures they were!

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At the end of the 9th century. The construction of feudal castles begins in Europe. They were erected not only by rich lords, but also by middle-class feudal lords. The massive construction of castles was predetermined by the constant invasions of enemies.

Usually the castle was built on a hill or on a high bank, from where the approaches to it were clearly visible. At first it was a very simple structure: a wooden two-story tower, which was called donjon . The feudal lord himself and his family lived on the top floor. Downstairs lived a military squad and servants, and also housed utility rooms, a kitchen, a food barn and an armory. In case of a siege, the wooden tower was sheathed on the outside with animal skins to protect it from fire.

A rampart was built around the castle and reinforced with a palisade with wooden towers. In front of the rampart there was a deep ditch filled with water. A bridge was thrown across the moat on chains, which led to one of the towers of the palisade with heavy oak gates bound with iron. In case of a threat, the bridge was raised, and it was almost impossible to get into the castle. A few steps from the gate towards the courtyard were lifting bars. Even if someone managed to slip through the gate, the bars would lower and people would be trapped.

Fortress of Nove Hrady in the Czech Republic. XIII century Modern photo

In the 11th century Castles began to be built of stone and strengthened even more. Two or even three rows of high and powerful walls with corner towers were erected around the castle. Loopholes were made in the walls - narrow holes for archery. The wooden donjon was replaced with a stone one. Its dark, cold and damp dungeons were used not only for economic needs, but also as a prison for criminals, prisoners and convicts. In the courtyard of the castle there were also stables for war horses and stalls for cattle. Water was taken from a well dug there. Common people settled under the walls of the castle so that, if necessary, they could find refuge there from the enemy.

Siege of the castle. Miniature. XIV Art.

A well-fortified castle, with enough supplies and drinking water, could easily withstand a long siege. To storm castles, siege mechanisms were used - battering rams and mobile towers. Often a secret passage was built in the dungeon of the donjon, which led outside the castle. So the feudal lord could send a messenger asking for help, or save himself if the castle was taken by storm.

However, the castle was not only a military fortification. It was also the residence of the lord, his place of permanent residence. Therefore, over the centuries, castles became more and more comfortable and cozy. They turned into a complex of buildings: a reception hall, the matrimonial bedroom of feudal lords, rooms for various purposes, kitchens, basements and food storage, a chapel, etc. But the donjon has always been the object of special concern. He towered against the backdrop of buildings and landscape, demonstrating the strength and power of the lord. He was depicted on coats of arms, vaults of a castle or chapel, on flags and seals of the feudal lord.

The siege mechanism is petraria. 1240

In addition to the lord's family, the castle was inhabited by many servants and subordinates: heirs of vassals trained in the art of war, knights, housekeepers, and guards. Material from the site

When there was no war and the feudal lord was at home, in his domain he could hunt, fish, fence, fight with spears, play chess, watch jugglers perform or bear fights, receive guests, communicate with ladies, hold ceremonial meetings vassals, etc. However, this did not always keep the feudal lords at home. At the first opportunity, they went to the king's court or on long journeys. But they did not forget their land and proudly added the name of the castle to their name.

X III century Chronicler Lambert d'Ardou about the construction and arrangement of the stone donjon

Baudouin, Count of Guines, built a round house of cut stone on a hill in Guines. He was so tall, as if he was touching the sky. Baudouin foresaw that the upper part would be like a flat terrace with a roof on the rafters... In this house he had rooms for receptions, living rooms, rooms for privacy, corridors that made the house look like Daedalus' labyrinth. Further outside the house he built a chapel with stone walls and wooden rafters. He also built a stone wall along the outer defensive belt of the castle. At the entrance he built towers with throwing devices to repel attacks.

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Most often, we begin our acquaintance with the medieval history of Europe not with textbooks, but with novels and Alexandre Dumas. In our view, Europe in the Middle Ages was unthinkable without majestic and impregnable castles, valiant in magnificent armor, fighting in tournaments for the honor of their lady. They could remain faithful to the chosen one of their hearts forever, despite her unrequited love. Faithful pages and squires, ready to selflessly give their lives for their master. Beautiful minstrels singing love songs and glorifying the honor and valor of noble knights. This is exactly how we saw Europe through the fog of centuries from the pages of chivalric novels, and it seems to me that there were many who wanted to be in one of these castles in order to feel all the charm and romance of the medieval flavor. And what a blow to romantic dreams, however, would be the prosaic reality of life in a medieval castle if modern man could transport himself there!

The problem of security was very acute in the Middle Ages and the location for the castle was chosen on a natural hill. During construction, first of all, they thought not about comfort, but about strength and inaccessibility. The Middle Ages, especially at the beginning of the era, were literally swarming with gangs of armed robbers, and to protect yourself, your family and your subjects, only iron armor and courage were not enough. The medieval castle is an impressive stone structure, surrounded by powerful fortress walls with loopholes and watchtowers. A wide fortress moat filled with water certainly surrounded the entire structure. It was possible to get into the castle only through a drawbridge, which was also equipped with an iron grate for additional insurance. Inside the castle was a whole settlement. In addition to the main dwelling of the castle owner, there were all the services: stables, cellars, kitchen, dwellings of commoners, and sometimes even a forge and a mill. There must have been either a source of water - a spring, a well, or reservoirs with its reserves in case of a siege.

Any castle had its own priest and a special place for worship, and the castle chaplain often also performed the duties of a clerk or teacher. Residential buildings were built of stone, the floors were often earthen, covered with straw. At a later time, the floors were laid with stone slabs and also covered with straw to make it warmer and to absorb excess moisture, which was always in abundance in stone structures. As the years passed, the stone walls and floors began to be decorated, and at the same time insulated, with carpets brought from the Crusades. Light barely penetrated the narrow windows with lead frames, into which first parchment was inserted, then cloudy mica glass and, from the 14th to 15th centuries, multi-colored stained glass windows. They were, of course, beautiful, but they let in little light. The inside of the room was lit with torches and candles, which added stench and soot. The furniture was heavy and durable, although unprepossessing. Things were stored in voluminous chests and chests, which also served as benches. By the way, the nobility of the owner was determined by the height of the back of the chair. The beds had canopies, but not for beauty, but as a remedy for cold and drafts.

Frequent knightly tournaments, ending with feasts, attracted large numbers of feasters. They were attended by musicians and jesters, and ladies and gentlemen could not leave the table for more than a day. There is a lot of evidence that they not only ate at the table, but often fell asleep and relieved themselves. Therefore, the smells of a medieval castle were not for the faint of heart, but the people of the Middle Ages were not too squeamish. There were always dogs next to the feasters, to whom people threw scraps. They were also present in the owner’s bed. quite rare, especially since the castle never had excess water to waste on daily ablutions. First of all, water was used to water animals - horses and other animals, and for cooking. Morality in the modern concept was not very high in the Middle Ages, despite all the codes of knightly honor. Men did not limit their sexual appetites too much, although their wives' infidelity was looked upon very strictly, especially because of the legitimacy of the offspring. But after courtly love came into fashion, a lady from high society could have an official lover.

Life in a medieval castle asta wrote in November 5th, 2005

Every medieval castle had a main room: the hall. It was a large, spacious room with rows of wooden or stone columns supporting the roof. Wooden shutters in the windows protected, although poorly, from cold and bad weather. It was only by the 13th century that some windows began to be glazed with greenish-white glass, and at first only a king or a wealthy nobleman could afford such a luxury. The floor in the hall (when the hall was on the first floor) was earthen or stone, but if the hall was located on the second level, the floor was often covered with wood. The walls in the hall were hung with tapestries, and they also covered the tables and benches. On the floor lay straw mixed with aromatic herbs. From time to time, the straw that was spat on, dice thrown, beer and grease spilled, was removed and replaced with new flooring.

Lord and his wife at a meal (Livre d'heures, 15th century)

During lunch, the owner of the castle and his wife sat on a stone dais on massive chairs, and everyone else sat on benches. Most dining tables were collapsible; after meals they were folded and removed. Few rich lords could afford to have a non-dismountable table that was constantly standing in the hall. Before meals, the tables were set with clean white tablecloths. The hall was always in twilight - candles made of wax or animal fat and oil lamps on the walls provided scant light.

In the late Middle Ages, stone fireplaces began to be installed in castles - the stones in the fireplace were heated, and even after the fire went out, the heat remained in the hall for a long time. However, it was impossible to warm such a large room well with one fireplace, and the castle was quite cold and damp at all times of the year. The predecessor of the fireplace was an open hearth located in the center of the hall. The hearth had the shape of a circle, square or octagon and was lined with stone or brick.

Kitchen

In the 13th century, the kitchen was a room with a central hearth or several fireplaces where meat was stewed or spit-roasted. Dirty dishes were washed outside. Animals and poultry were also slaughtered on the street nearby.

The mistress of the castle supervises the work of the cook (Livre des proprietés des choses, 15th century)

When the owner of the castle held a big feast, temporary additional kitchens were built. Inside the castle there was usually a small garden, at one end of which fruit trees and vines were planted; and medicinal herbs and flowers - roses, lilies, violets, poppies, daffodils and gladioli - in another. Some castles also had a small trout pond.

Living spaces

In the earlier Middle Ages, all the inhabitants of the castle slept together in one hall. Sleepers were separated only by curtains or screens, and much less often by wooden partitions. At a later time, the owner of the castle and his wife slept in separate chambers, and the eldest son, his family, guests and the castle manager had their own quarters. Sometimes there were holes in the walls, disguised “eyes,” through which the owner of the castle or manager could observe what was happening in the rooms.

The chambers of the lord and his wife were called “sunny.” The main piece of furniture in them was a large bed with a bottom made of intertwined ropes or strips of leather. The feather bed was covered with sheets, quilts and a fur blanket. Such a bed was easily disassembled, and the owners of the castle took it with them when they traveled to their other possessions. In addition, the bed had a canopy of embroidered linen, which was usually drawn at night. The lord's servants slept in the same room on a mat or bench.

Lying in bed, the lord receives envoys (Réponse à Charles VI et Lamentations, early 15th century)

Besides the bed, the bedroom furnished only a few chests for clothes and a couple of stools. Sometimes clothes and jewelry were stored in a small dressing room that adjoined the bedroom.

In the earlier Middle Ages, not only servants slept in the common hall or towers, but also the soldiers guarding the castle. Later, when castle owners began to recruit large garrisons, often consisting of mercenaries, separate rooms, dining rooms and kitchens were built for them.

Hygiene

Water for washing or drinking was kept in a special bowl in each room. In addition, on the upper level of the castle there was a large tank or pool to supply water to the lower levels. The bath at that time was a wooden tub. A person washing could hide from prying eyes with a screen or curtains.

The bathtub stands right next to the bed and is covered with a canopy (Faits et dits mémorables, 15th century)

In summer, the bath was taken out into the fresh air, into the garden; and in the cold season they placed it near the hearth. The bath and the bath attendant accompanied the lord on all his travels and journeys. People relieved themselves in the toilet adjacent to the bedroom or used such a universal thing as a chamber pot.

When you think of medieval castles, picturesque walls covered in ivy, beautiful ladies in high towers and noble knights in shining armor come to mind. But it was not these sublime images that motivated the feudal lords to build impregnable walls with loopholes, but the harsh reality.

During the Middle Ages, Europe experienced many changes. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the processes of resettlement of peoples began, new kingdoms and states emerged. All this was accompanied by constant conflicts and strife.

Nobleman-feudal lord, who had a knighthood, to protect himself from enemies, and they could even be his closest neighbors, was forced to strengthen his home as much as possible and build a castle.

Wikipedia suggests distinguishing between a castle and a fortress. A fortress is a walled area land with houses and other buildings. The castle is smaller in size. This is a single structure that includes walls, towers, bridges and other structures.

The castle was the private fortress of a noble lord and his family. In addition to the direct function of protection, it was an indicator of power and well-being. But not all knights could afford it. The owner could be an entire knightly order - a community of warriors.

How and from what materials were medieval castles built?

Building a real castle was a time-consuming and costly procedure. All work was done by hand and sometimes lasted for decades.

Before construction began, it was necessary to select a suitable location. The most impenetrable castles were built on the cliffs of steep rocks. However, more often they chose a hill with an open view and a river nearby. The waterway was necessary to fill ditches and was also used as a route for transporting goods.

A deep ditch was dug on the ground and an embankment was formed. Then the walls were erected using scaffolding.

The challenge was building the well. We had to dig deep down or chisel the rock.

Selection of material for construction depended on many factors. Of decisive importance were:

• terrain;
• human resources;
• budget.

If there was a quarry nearby, the structure was built from stone; otherwise, wood, sand, limestone or brick were used. For the outside we used facing materials, for example, processed stone. The wall elements were connected using lime mortar.

Although glass was known in those days, it was not used in castles. Narrow windows were covered with mica, leather or parchment. Inside the living quarters of the castle owners, the walls were often covered with frescoes and hung with tapestries. In the remaining rooms they limited themselves to a layer of lime or left the masonry untouched.

What elements did the castles consist of?

Exact lock configuration depended on local traditions, landscape, and wealth of the owner. Over time, new engineering solutions appeared. Previously built structures were often completed and rebuilt. Among all the Medieval fortifications, several traditional elements can be distinguished.

Ditch, bridge and gate

The castle was surrounded by a moat. If there was a river nearby, it was flooded. At the bottom they made wolf pits - depressions with stakes or sharp rods.

It was possible to get inside through the moat only with the help of a bridge. Huge logs served as supports. Part of the bridge rose and blocked the passage inside. The mechanism of the drawbridge was designed in such a way that 2 guards could handle it. In some castles the bridge had a swing mechanism.

The gates were double doors and closed a cross beam that slid into the wall. Although they were knocked together from several words of strong boards and upholstered with iron, the gates remained the most vulnerable part of the structure. They were protected by a gate tower with a guard room. The entrance to the castle turned into a long narrow passage with holes in the ceiling and walls. If the enemy was inside, a stream of boiling water or resin was poured onto him.

In addition to wooden gates, there was often a lattice, which was closed using a winch and ropes. In an emergency, the ropes were cut off and the barrier fell sharply.

An additional element of gate protection was the barbican - walls extending from the gate. Opponents had to squeeze in into the passage between them under a hail of arrows.

Walls and towers

The height of the walls of the medieval fortification reached 25 meters. They had a powerful base and withstood the blows of battering guns. The deep foundation was designed to protect against undermining. The thickness of the walls decreased towards the top, they became sloping. At the top there was a platform behind the teeth. While on it, the defenders fired at enemies through slit-like openings, threw stones down or poured out tar.

Double walls were often built . Overcoming the first obstacle, the opponents found themselves in a narrow space in front of the second wall, where they became easy prey for archers.

At the corners of the perimeter there were watchtowers that protruded forward in relation to the wall. Inside they were divided into floors, each of which was a separate room. In large castles, the towers had a vertical partition for strengthening.

All the stairs in the towers were spiral and very steep. If the enemy penetrated into the internal territory, the defender had an advantage and could throw the aggressor down. Initially, the towers had a rectangular shape. But this interfered with the view during defense. They were replaced by round buildings.

Behind the main gate there was a narrow courtyard, which was well covered by fire.

Rest of interior space The castle was occupied by buildings. Among them:

In large knightly castles there was a vegetable garden, and sometimes a whole garden, inside.

The central and most fortified structure of any castle is the donjon tower. In the lower part there was a storage room with food supplies and an arsenal with weapons and equipment. Above there was a guard room and a kitchen. The upper part was occupied by the home of the owner and his family. A throwing weapon or catapult was installed on the roof. The outer walls of the donjon had small projections. There were restrooms there. The holes opened outwards and waste fell down. Underground passages could lead from the donjon to the shelter or neighboring buildings.

Mandatory elements of a castle in the Middle Ages there was a church or chapel. It could be located in the central tower or be a separate building.

The castle could not do without a well. Without a source of water, the inhabitants would not have lasted even a few days during the siege. The well was protected by a separate building.

Living conditions in the castle

The castle provided the need for security. However, its inhabitants often had to neglect other benefits.

Little light penetrated into the premises, since the windows were replaced by narrow loopholes, which were covered with dense materials. The living rooms were heated with fireplaces, but this did not save them from the dank damp and cold. In the harsh winter the walls froze through. Using latrines during the cold season was especially uncomfortable.

Residents often had to neglect hygiene. Most of the water from the well was used to maintain vital functions and care for animals.

Over time, the structure of castles became more complex and new elements appeared. However, the development of gunpowder weapons deprived castles of their main advantage - inaccessibility. They were replaced by fortresses with more complex engineering solutions.

Gradually, medieval castles, many of which have survived to this day, turned into architectural monuments and reminiscent of the era of chivalry.

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