The new stone wall of a shell keep, either circular or polygonal, could be 3-3.5 metres (10-12 ft) thick and 4.5-9 metres (15-30 ft) high. Inside were such buildings as a hall, barracks, chapel, accommodation, and storehouses. An excellent example of a surviving shell keep is at the c. 1150 CE Cardiff Castle, Wales.
What is in a keep?
keep, English term corresponding to the French donjon for the strongest portion of the fortification of a castle, the place of last resort in case of siege or attack. The keep was either a single tower or a larger fortified enclosure.
What is usually inside a castle?
Inside the castle walls there might have been a magnificent hall, comfortable chambers and a beautiful chapel. Larger castles had their own fish ponds, orchards and vineyards, as well as gardens which supplied vegetables and herbs. Cattle sheep and pigs were kept on surrounding farm land.
What was inside a medieval keep?
It was usually a fortified tower built within the walls and used as a last refuge in case of an attack. The name keep derives from the Middle English kype, meaning basket or cask. Early on, the term was used for towers in a castle that would work as both fortifications and high-status residences.
What is the purpose of a keep?
Keep’s were built within castles during the Middle Ages and they were used as a refuge or last resort should the rest of the castle fall to enemies. Today keeps are scattered across Europe and form an important part of the architectural heritage.
Why is it called a keep?
Since the 16th century, the English word keep has commonly referred to large towers in castles. The word originates from around 1375 to 1376, coming from the Middle English term kype, meaning basket or cask, and was a term applied to the shell keep at Guînes, said to resemble a barrel.
Whats the difference between a castle and a keep?
What is the difference between a castle and a keep? A keep was a sort or fortified tower built within a castle, more for security and often the Keep was built and the later the castle around it.
What kind of rooms are in castles?
Rooms in a Medieval Castle
- The Great Hall.
- Bed Chambers.
- Solars.
- Bathrooms, Lavatories and Garderobes.
- Kitchens, Pantries, Larders & Butteries.
- Gatehouses and Guardrooms.
- Chapels & Oratories.
- Cabinets and Boudoirs.
Do castles have living rooms?
The private bed chambers of a medieval castle were typically accessed by a small passage at the top end of the great hall – often the bedrooms and living rooms of the lord and lady of the castle, and their close family or honoured guests, would be on the first floor of the structure.
What are 4 parts of a castle?
Motte – An earthwork mound on which a castle was built. Mullions – The vertical divisions of stone or wood between the lights of windows. Oriel – Projecting room on an upper floor. Outer Curtain – The wall which enclosed the outer ward.
What did medieval castles use for toilet rooms?
garderobes
In the medieval period luxury castles were built with indoor toilets known as ‘garderobes‘, and the waste dropped into a pit below.
How were dead bodies disposed during medieval period?
Buried, Rotting, or Burnt
Many corpses left on the battlefield would, of course, be buried. Christopher Daniell’s book Death and Burial in Medieval England, 1066-1550 indicates that in the Middle Ages, people preferred to bury bodies in consecrated ground.
Did bathrooms exist in medieval times?
Medieval toilets, just as today, were often referred to by a euphemism, the most common being ‘privy chamber’, just ‘privy’ or ‘garderobe’. Other names included the ‘draught’, ‘gong’, ‘siege-house’, ‘neccessarium’, and even ‘Golden Tower’.
What is the difference between a fort and a keep?
The “keep” is usually a smaller fortification within the castle walls (or simply connected to the castle). If the castle walls are breached, you should typically be able to keep defending from the keep.
Who lives in the keep of a castle?
During the late Middle Ages, from the 10th to the 16th centuries, kings and lords lived in castles. As well as the lord, the lady (his wife), and their family there were lots of staff. Some were important officials, such as the constable who took care of the castle when the lord was away.
How big is a keep?
The new stone wall of a shell keep, either circular or polygonal, could be 3-3.5 metres (10-12 ft) thick and 4.5-9 metres (15-30 ft) high. Inside were such buildings as a hall, barracks, chapel, accommodation, and storehouses. An excellent example of a surviving shell keep is at the c.
What was the weakest part of a castle?
The entrance to the castle was always its weakest point. Drawbridges could be pulled up, preventing access across moats. Tall gate towers meant that defenders could shoot down in safety at attacks below. The main gate or door to the castle was usually a thick, iron-studded wooden door, that was hard to break through.
How long can a stone castle last?
Stone walls offered greater protection against catapults and siege engines that were increasingly used in sieges from the 11th century onwards, although they certainly weren’t undefeatable. Secondly, stone castles would last for centuries (many of them survive to this day) whereas wood lasted a decade or two at best.
How long did it take to build a stone keep castle?
Castles generally took two to 10 years to build.
Is a keep bigger than a castle?
As others have said, a “keep” is technically a small building or tower, which may or may not be part of a larger structure such as a castle. The citadel is in fact the fortified portion of a city. It’s not at all futuristic, and the military school took its name from the common noun.
Can you buy a castle and live in it?
Many people only dream of owning a castle, but you can actually do it. As long as you’re willing to commit to a few improvements, you can renovate a historical castle into a liveable home or you can build your own.