Medieval Battles

Pre 1000 Early Castles Built

Jan 1, 1000

Primitive small castle in which defenders could see where the attackers were coming from, and easily defend them selves. Early castles were to avoid contact in battles. Rocky slopes and ditches put into consideration.

Present 1000 New Castle Features

Jan 1, 1000

Defensive walls and ditches made, central stronghold for added defense, known as a keep. Castle mainly made out of wood and some stone. Round type of mound made, known as a Bailey.

Extra defences

Jan 1, 1050

Central Strongholds were raised on hill like mounds for higher ground. Pikes made as defence. Pikes were strong thick like pillars with sharp carved points at the top to prevent attackers climbing over the walls, or scaling them.

Norman Keep Tower

Sep 11, 1070

Norman Keep Towers consisted of a main structure, then four towers raising from the corners for archers or sentries, built in the time of William the Rufus. Norman Keep Towers had extremely thick stone walls and incorporated living and storage quarters.

Concentric Castles Built

Jan 1, 1270

Concentirc castles consisted of a outer wall, and a inner stronger wall, inbetween these two walls was a inner bailey, for celebrations and training soldiers. If the attackers managed to get past the first outer wall, the inner wall would be much thick and stronger, however if the attackers were in the inner bailey they would be easy targets for the attackers and could get trapped inside. The first true Concentirc Castle was built in Britain by Henry the Third, and was the Caelphilly Castle.

Brick Construction

Jan 1, 1400

Symetrical bricks were made by peasants after harvesting clay. The symetrical well measured bricks were used for fortified manors.

Fortified Manor Houses

Jan 1, 1499

A long period passed over and few castles were built, while oweners of castles focused on making the castles a luxury, making it more comfortable and larger. Defence was less of a priority and castles were improved to impress for the defense.

Coastal Castles

Jan 1, 1538

Coastal Castles were only built in England to defend against French invasions, and the chances of French invasion was high. Coastal Castles had no living quarters and had thick stone walls. High towers were built for archers, and gun ports.