![Picture](/uploads/4/9/3/9/49394129/3221578.jpg?336)
CASTLES
Medieval castles in Europe were built over a period of more than 500 years - from around 1000 AD to 1550 AD. Indeed they were built so well that many medieval castles. The first castles that were built were made of mud and wood. But the wood burns so around 1100 CE people switched to building castles out of stone. Thick stone walls surrounded the manor house. Some walls were 20 feet thick. In earlier designs of castle and town, the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult. Very few peasants could live in the castle and most were not allowed. When trouble came they would hurry inside the castle and close the gates. The thick walls of stone would protect the bearer of the castle. All Castles had openings high in the walls so that archers could shoot at invaders. The thick walls would protect the people who are attacking the invaders.
Medieval castles in Europe were built over a period of more than 500 years - from around 1000 AD to 1550 AD. Indeed they were built so well that many medieval castles. The first castles that were built were made of mud and wood. But the wood burns so around 1100 CE people switched to building castles out of stone. Thick stone walls surrounded the manor house. Some walls were 20 feet thick. In earlier designs of castle and town, the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult. Very few peasants could live in the castle and most were not allowed. When trouble came they would hurry inside the castle and close the gates. The thick walls of stone would protect the bearer of the castle. All Castles had openings high in the walls so that archers could shoot at invaders. The thick walls would protect the people who are attacking the invaders.
![Picture](/uploads/4/9/3/9/49394129/1449693.jpg?257)
LOCATION
Most castles were designed to defend a location. So they were normally be located on top of a hill or at the ford of a river, or entrance to a bay or harbor, But the preferred location was at the highest point. So for example if there was a hill the castle would go on top. This meant you could see what ever was coming to attack the castle and they could prepare for battle. Some castles were surrounded by a moat which was a deep ditch filled with water. A small bridge was built to lower and raise as needed over the moat. Thats what you call a drawbridge.
Most castles were designed to defend a location. So they were normally be located on top of a hill or at the ford of a river, or entrance to a bay or harbor, But the preferred location was at the highest point. So for example if there was a hill the castle would go on top. This meant you could see what ever was coming to attack the castle and they could prepare for battle. Some castles were surrounded by a moat which was a deep ditch filled with water. A small bridge was built to lower and raise as needed over the moat. Thats what you call a drawbridge.