Castles are wonderful medieval inventions used to protect medieval lords and barons from incoming attacks.
When did castles start being built?
The first castles in Britain started being built after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
What did castles do?
Castles aimed to protect those that lived inside them from being attacked. They also provided somewhere for barons, their knights and families as well as their servants to live.
The castles also allowed the barons to control the farmland near the castle that they owned. It was also a way for barons to show off their power – the bigger the castle was, the more powerful they usually were.
What features did castles have?
Castles usually had the following features:
- Drawbridge – to keep invaders out and invite guests in (the medieval equivalent of your front door, only larger)
- Moat – a lake surrounding the castle, which was filled with sewage from the castle
- Bailey – the opening in the middle of the castle, containing buildings that stored food and other items, along with animals such as horses
- Keep – a tower in the middle of the castle built to be used in the event of attack if the rest of the castle had been destroyed
- Tower – used by guards to keep a look out and defend castles against invaders
- Battlements – walls on the roof of the castle
Who lived in the castles?
The people who lived in castles were very rich. In medieval times, only kings and barons would have their own castles.
When was the last castle built?
Castle Drogo is the last castle was built between 1911 and 1932 in Devon. It was built as the home of businessman Julius Drewe and his family.