King Edward I.
King Edward I built numerous concentric castles in the late 1200s to early 1300s, many of which can still be seen today.
What were concentric castles used for?
The first in western Europe to be built to a concentric design. Having many walls meant that even if an enemy broke through the outer wall, there was, in effect, a second castle securely defended and stored with provisions.
When were concentric castles used?
13th century
Concentric castles appeared in Europe in the 13th century, with the castles built in Wales by Edward I providing some outstanding examples, in particular Beaumaris Castle, a “perfect concentric castle”, albeit unfinished.
Which famous castle was built in a concentric design?
There are the remains of several concentric castles around the country. These include those at Rhuddlan, Harlech and Beaumaris, which is shown below. Rhuddlan, Harlech and Beaumaris castles were all built during the reign of Edward I in North Wales by the master castle builder James of St. George.
Who built the first concentric castle?
Gilbert de Clare
Outside of this was the outer bailey with another circular wall for protection. In order to provide further protection a moat was usually added. The first castle in Britain to be built in this style was Caerphilly in South Wales. It was built by Gilbert de Clare between 1268 and 1272.
How many people lived in a concentric castle?
At one time 2,000 people lived in the castle, known for its beautiful Medieval paintings.
Why did they stop building concentric castles?
Caernarfon Castle even had towers built within its towers, which made them an incredibly strong defence. While considered strong, concentric castles did have two major weaknesses: They were incredibly expensive to build and they made it hard for troops to engage from a safe position.
What was the first concentric castle?
Building concentric castles started in the mid 1200s, and the best examples were built in the 1290s and early 1300s. The first example of this design was Caerphilly Castle in Wales – which was built in about 1270.
When did castles stop being used?
People stopped building castles as defensive residences starting in about 1500. Though, as u/lamrar points out, sometimes ‘castles’ were still built (and are still built) as a stylistic choice, or in homage to the romance of a bygone age.
What was a concentric castle and why was it so powerful?
Concentric castles resemble one enclosure castle nested inside the other, generally without a central free-standing keep. Where the castle includes a particularly strong tower (donjon), such as at Krak or Margat, it projects from the inner enceinte providing a sort of citadel – a castle within a castle within a castle.
What is the most famous castle ever built?
Possibly one of the most famous castles in Europe is Windsor Castle in England, which has been the home of British royalty for centuries.
Is Dover Castle concentric?
Definition. Dover Castle, located in the southern county of Kent, is one of the largest castles in England and one of the first to have concentric defensive walls.
Why did stone keep castles change to concentric castles?
Concentric castles came to typify the medieval castle; strong and impregnable – round towers, fortified gate houses, moats, drawbridges… They were built in response to improvements in siege techniques, for example tunnelling.
Who built the first castle and why?
The Normans introduced the first proper castles, starting with the wooden Motte and Bailey castles, to England following their victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. They needed to protect their new kingdom, so as a result the early years of Norman occupation saw a frenzy of castle building.
What is the world’s oldest castle?
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and has been the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.
What is the oldest castle in history?
The Citadel of Aleppo is the oldest castle in the world, with some parts of the structure dating back to 3000 BC. Built in 1070 AD, Windsor Castle is the oldest castle that is still actively used today. Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world at 70,000 square meters.
Who built the most castles?
Still, no other country built as many castles as Germany. Wouldn’t it be great to see all 25,000 German castles?
What were 2 reasons for castles being built?
The main reason castles were built was not for luxury, but for defense and protection. Another reason for the construction of castles was to remind the people of the land who was in charge. In medieval times, the king or lord owned all the land and gave pieces of it to people to use.
What is a death hole in a concentric castle?
The space between the two walls was known as the ‘death hole’ because being trapped within the walls would almost certainly result in death for the attacker. The entire castle was then often surrounded with a moat and entry would be across a drawbridge.
Why Most castles are abandoned?
Castles were originally built in the middle ages by wealthy citizens, families and rulers as homes, places of business and entertainment and as fortresses in times of conflict and war. Style changes with the changes in times combined with other reasons led to many of these castles being ruined or abandoned.
How long does it take to build a concentric castle?
Castle building employed about 3,000 workers (like carpenters, masons, diggers, quarrymen and blacksmiths) under the direction of a master builder (Master James of St. George built the Welsh castles of King Edward I). Castles generally took two to 10 years to build.