If you think of castles you probably think of wizards, King Arthur and magic stuff, but castles are real and amazing. Around the eleventh century people found more protection from war in a walled area.

Motte and bailey castle in England

The first castles were made of wood with a main tower at the summit of a large hill, called a motte, and a town at the base of the motte enclosed in a bailey. In the twelfth century, the people converted to stone. The main tower became the keep where the lord presided and the bailey turned into a large, stone walled area.

12th century castle design

14^th century castle design

By the fourteenth century, castles acquired more protection with an inner curtain (wall) with the outer curtain, the keep became larger and more elaborate, and a watery moat and towers were installed for added protection. With the moat was a gatehouse behind it with a drawbridge to go over the moat. The gate helped trade between the castle and other castles.

The Dover castle

Windsor castle is still used for royalty

Castles were built everywhere especially in Europe and the holy land. Castles were made on hills like Chichester Castle in England. They were also made on islands or coast like Dornie Castle in Scotland. The Bovian Castle is known for its courtyard in the center of its rampart. Some castles were used as prisons like the Tower of London’s White Tower. Also, Castles were home to royalty like the Windsor Castle.

Castles were made on different elevations and for different purposes, but some castles were made for beauty like Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle inspired Walt Disney to make Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Castles have really influenced the lives of many and they are wonderful works of art and masonry.

Neuschwanstein in Germany