The Garderobe-the castles way of meeting an every day need

For residents of a castle, when nature called, the garderobe was the place to go...the curved structure is the exit hole of the garderobe and the small arrow loop above doubled as source of fresh air for the users. 

Even centuries after its last use the stain and erosion caused by countless numbers of humans reliving themselves multiple times a day for more than five hundred years is clearly evident.

The advantage of relieving oneself behind the protective walls of a castle were obvious.  The problem that arose was where the waste ended up, piled up on the side of the exterior wall (as in the case of the above garderobe where the exit was angled to direct the waste further away from the wall), or in the moat.  In the former case the human waste was most often collected by peasants to use as fertilize in the local crop lands.  Some lords even charged their peasants for the use of the waste. In the latter case, having your waste entering the water table was a danger the residents of a castle were probably unaware. Besides, at that time period drinking ale/beer was safer, gave need calories and was probably more enjoyable.

Castles can be really Big

The Ludlow castle town side main gate, as the town was protected by its own walls, this castle entry was smaller than those of many other castles.

Barracks across the bailey.

One of the great halls.

the other side of the bailey with an outer wall tower.

The moat, a daunting defense for attackers to cross.

The view of the main gate from the moat...

it's a long way up.

More Arrow Loops

Arrow Loops allowed castle defenders the ability to fire on attackers from behind the safety the castle walls.

Inside the walls were recessed to allow the archer area to move to better see his targets.  This arrow loop has been widened to allow more light into the castle, while stone bars have been added to keep out intruders.

The crosscut allowed a greater area to be covered by the archer.

The stone edging strengthened the wall and the iron bars prevented entry by the enemy.

 

Castle Over View

Model of Ludlow castle circa 1590, note the Tudor style remodeled gatehouse on the bottom right.

Keeps were towering structures.

The Inner Bailey/Ward served two purposes, it was a training ground in times of piece and a killing ground in time of war.

Many joints between stones were strengthened by lead cross bars.

A sight to impress friend and foe alike, an imposing castle rising from a hill above town.

Powis Castle-Where a Fortress became a Palace

For more than 700 years Powis Castle has been in continuous use in Wales. The original keep is still very prominent. Powis Castle is the ancestral home of Lord Herbert, the Sixth Earl of Powis.

Over the centuries the purpose of the castle slowly changed from the defense of the lord's family and property to that of a luxurious home of the rich.
Arrow loops became glass windows. Battlements were planted with trees and flowers and beautiful works of art replaced the implements of war.

The hillside, once clear of pant life to give archers a clear killing ground are now covered with acres of lush gardens and dozens of bronze statues.

Today, Castle Powis has all the modern amenities available, but the "look" of a castle is still visible.

The lords of Powis now have a modern home in an ancient castle. The castle is now more of a palace than a machine of war, but its location on the top of this hill clearly demonstrates the military reason the castle was first built.

Krak de Chevaliers-Greates of all Crusader Castles

The Krak De Chevaliers (Fortress of the Knights), was the main fortress and headquarters to the religious military order of the Knights Hospitaller.

Located in Modern day Syria, the castle was virtually impregnable. The thick walls, excellent design and strategic location created a near perfect Medieval castle.

From the 11th to the 17th centuries, the Knights Hospitaller were a warrior religious order tasked with defending Christianity, the Holy Lands and the poor & sick. 

Castle Defences

Double gatehouse complex of the Tower of London.

The drawbridge was a key defense for the gates of many castles.

The Tower, a mini-castle to strengthen the curtain wall.
Murder Hole

Fighting stairs, defenders could easily strike down while attackers were hindered by the tight curve of the right turning stairs. The hand railing is a modern safety feature.

The Outer Ward where squires learned the skills needed by knights and where knight and Men-at-Arms continued to hone their skills.

The Keep, this was the oldest and safest part of Ludlow Castle(1086).

The Moat, ten centuries ago it was even deeper, nature is slowing refilling this man made defense.


Embrasures and Battlements with arrow loops.

Arrow Loops by the score stud an outer curtain wall of the Tower of London.

The Castle-High Point of the Lords Defenses

Ludlow Castle, on the Welsh boarder, looking a little worn as she nears her 1000 birthday. The original rectangular Norman Keep dates to 1086 CE.

Therri crosses the moat, the original drawbridge was replaced with this bridge in the 15th Century.

The massive gateway held a portcullis, three gates and murder holes.

Look out below, any attacker would be faced with defenders shooting arrows from above. Here I am standing on the third floor, there were two more fighting levels in this tower above this floor.

Therri is in the unfortunate position any attacker would have been in after entering the courtyard.

People were shorter in the Middle Ages. The short doorway was also part of the defense works, could an attacker swing a sword while passing through this doorway?

Many gateways had smaller single man doorways built in them for more secure access.

Every castle had a chapel, this is a rare round one built in the 11th century at Ludlow Castle.