Castles: Types

Castles are an important part of Medieval fiction. Often times writing centers around them. So, it is important that you know your facts. Which types of castle existed during the time in which your story takes place?

This post focuses on the different types. I will go into each individually and in greater detail in the posts following.

Early Middle Ages

The first castles built in Europe were a direct result of necessity. Raiders were prevalent, following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Villages were terrorized, and a need for protection arose. Thus began feudalism in Europe. Lords began offering their protection in exchange for the villagers' land. And, their sworn service.

These first "castles" were very different from the ones most people are familiar with. Most likely due to the fact that they were made of wood and have long since disappeared; either by fire in siege, or merely rotted away.

The most common of the early castles was the wooden Motte and Bailey. These began to appear around 950 AD and continued to be used until around 1100-1200 AD.

The lower portion, being the bailey, encircled and protected the courtyard (workshops, the chapel, main hall, etc). The motte (or mound) was surrounded by its own palisade and contained the keep. This is where the Lord and his Lady lived. Again, I will go into more detail in a later posting.

Another version, less costly to lower Lords, was the Ringwork Castle. This forwent the motte, including only the bailey. Generally this was surrounded by a deep ditch, and occasionally a moat.

High Middle Ages

It was during this time that wooden castles and palisades begin to give way to stone. Wood was hard to defend. It was easily burned. And, if not burned it soon began to rot. People needed something stronger. As the new stone keeps grew in size the motte began to disappear (some sources say this is due to the weight of the stone, and the inability of the man-made motte to support it). 

The keep was the first to make the change to stone. Thus introducing the Square Keep, which began its appearance somewhere around 1070 AD. This provided a safer place for the Lord's family, servants, and soldiers.

Some Lords opted to, instead, replace the wooden palisade with a stone wall. This type was called a Shell Keep (c.1100) and could be round or quatrefoil (shaped like a four-leafed clover. In this case the buildings were placed along the curtain wall rather then stacked as in the square keep. Very few of these examples still survive today.

Restormel Castle, Cornwall, England, UK

Around 1150 AD, weaknesses in the design of the square keep forced architects to experiment with new designs. The corners being the main concern as they were easily undermined. They were difficult to defend from side-placed windows, and tunnels dug beneath them caused them to collapse. Thus, the Polygonal Keep began to make its appearance allowing a greater range of defense. 

Orford Castle, Suffolk, England, UK

Another variation, found to be the easiest to defend due to the total lack of corners, was the Round Keep.  These also began to spring up around 1150 AD.

TreTower Castle, UK

Late Middle Ages

Towards the close of the High Middle Ages and the beginning of the Late Middle Ages, castles again made a change. Comfort began to become a factor. Previous castles were built mainly with defense in mind. They were not fun to live in. They were dark, lacked privacy, were smoky, cold, etc. So, despite the effectiveness of the latest keeps in defense, the keep overall began to disappear from the design of newly built castles. By the end of the Middle Ages, safety was not as much of a fear and castles began to become entirely made to be lavish, well-fortified, homes.

The Wall Tower Castles were build almost in a similar layout as the old shell keeps with a single thick outer, or curtain, wall, with buildings lining the inner side. This allowed for defense, with the placement of mural towers, as well as the comfort that had been disregarded with the old stone keeps. Buildings were better built, and ventilated.

Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, England, UK

In the late 13th century (c.1280) the Concentric Castle was introduced. This held both ultimate defense and luxury. It was considered to be impregnable. However, though it effectively kept the enemy out, it also kept those inside in. Enemies often resorted to a "starve-them-out" strategy as oppose to a full-scale attack. The characteristics of these particular castles were their rings of walls. Thus giving the defending castle multiple levels for attack, with the potential of trapping the enemy within the walls. You can see the devastating effect this would have on the attacker, and understand why they resorted to other means. These castles also generally had a moat.

Beaumaris Castle, Isle of Anglesey, UK

After this, about 1450 AD, castles started to become more of a status symbol. Comfort and beauty trumped defense. Though, the majority still were able to withstand siege to some extend. However, war was changing. Fighting moved mainly to the battlefield. It was more cost effective. Feudalism fell, and the country became more united. Castle building declined... Enter the Renaissance.

I hope this brief overview was helpful. There were many different kinds of castles built in the Middle Ages, this covers some of the more popular designs used. I will enjoy going more into the designs and layouts of these castles in future posts! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions! :)