Table of Contents
What makes a good site for a castle?
The site has a good view of the sea and any potential invaders. The cliffs would make it difficult for an invader to land unnoticed. An invader could not climb up the cliff face easily. People living inland could see the castle which would act as a warning to behave.
Why are fortress star shaped?
Star-shaped fortresses were designed to deflect cannonballs. Cannonballs have the highest likely-hood of penetrating defenses when they impact perpendicularly to the wall. Hitting the wall at an angle transfers more force outwards, and less force into the wall.
What does the fortress protect England from?
Intended to protect England’s south and east coasts against the threat of invasion from Catholic Europe, they were distinctively squat and rounded, designed to deflect incoming enemy cannon balls and provide all-round firepower from their own tiers of heavy guns.
Is a fortress a castle?
There is little difference between a fortress and a castle. Fortresses normally have thick stone walls, thicker but less tall than in castles so artillery cannot break them. There were very small windows, without glass, so that soldiers inside could fire out through them. Fortresses were not designed for comfort.
How medieval castles were defended?
Battlements were walls on the roof of a castle. They had higher walls, called merlons, with lower gaps between, called crenels. Defenders would use crossbows to shoot arrows through the crenels,and then hide behind the higher merlons.
What makes a strong fortress?
Castles are usually built on high ground with clear views of the surrounding lands – and both of these things make them difficult to attack. The steep drop to the River Tyne is hidden by trees which have grown since the castle was used for defense.
What should be in a castle?
Castle Features
- Outer defenses.
- Moat.
- Walls (inner and outer)
- Towers (inner and outer)
- Gatehouses, drawbridges and barbicans.
- Inner defenses.
- Baileys or wards.
- Living quarters and support buildings.
What is the difference between city walls and fortresses?
City walls are fortifications but are not necessarily called fortresses . The art of setting out a military camp or constructing a fortification traditionally has been called castrametation since the time of the Roman legions.
What is an example of a Bronze Age fortification?
Borġ in-Nadur is a notable example of Bronze Age -fortifications. In Bronze Age Malta, some settlements also began to be fortified. The most notable surviving example is Borġ in-Nadur, where a bastion built in around 1500 BC was found.
How did medieval fortifications change over time?
Medieval-style fortifications were largely made obsolete by the arrival of cannons in the 14th century. Fortifications in the age of black powder evolved into much lower structures with greater use of ditches and earth ramparts that would absorb and disperse the energy of cannon fire.
What is the difference between a fort and a fortification?
Larger forts may class as fortresses; smaller ones formerly often bore the name of fortalices. The word fortification can also refer to the practice of improving an area’s defense with defensive works. City walls are fortifications but not necessarily called fortresses.