Middle Ages- The Castle and siege Flashcards

1
Q

What was a motte and Bailey castle

A

This was when a fort was built on top of a small hill- called a motte. Then below the motte was a big enclosure called a Bailey where the Lord and his soldiers lived

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2
Q

What were the battlements

A

The battlements were at the top of the keep. Soldiers kept guard on the battlements watching for any enemies

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3
Q

What are curtain walls

A

These are the outer walls of the castle

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4
Q

What are turrets

A

Turrets are strong towers along the walls

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5
Q

What was the purpose of the drawbridge

A

If an enemy was to approach the drawbridge would be pulled up so they couldn’t enter the castle

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6
Q

What was a portcullis

A

This was an iron grille that could be lowered in front of the castle gate

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7
Q

What were ramparts

A

These ran along the tops of the walls and were wide enough for soldiers to walk along

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8
Q

What was the moat

A

The moat was a ditch around the castle filled with water from a nearby stream.

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9
Q

What were latrines

A

Toilets

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10
Q

What sort of activities went on in the courtyard, Bailey

A

The stables were here
Pigeon houses- pigeons were food and could send messages
The kitchen- it was outside because of risk of fire
The forge for the blacksmith
The well which was vital.

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11
Q

Why were stone castles so strong

A

Because at this time there was no gunpowder so castles were hard to defeat

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12
Q

What was a siege

A

When an enemy tried to gain access to the castle by surrounding the castle and stopping anyone going in or out

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13
Q

What was a battering ram

A

It was used to pound the gate of the castle

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14
Q

What were catapults used for

A

To shoot huge boulders or fireballs over the castles curtain walls

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15
Q

What was a ballista

A

Was a giant crossbow used to fire giant arrows

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16
Q

What were siege towers

A

These were like giant enclosed ladders they were used to get near and try to scale the walls

17
Q

Why were tunnels dug under walls

A

So the curtain walls of the castle would hopefully collapse in on themselves

18
Q

What were siege ladders

A

These were used to climb walls

19
Q

Who was the most important person in the castle

A

The Lord

20
Q

What were the stairs like in the keep

A

The stairs were narrow and steep and also they were spiralled but always circled to the right so that when attackers came up the stairs they would have to fight with their left hand to hold on to the bannister

21
Q

What was on the Middle floor

A

The great Hall, and minstrels gallery

22
Q

What was on The top floor

A

The solar Lords private apartments and the chapel

23
Q

What was on the lower floor

A

The dungeons and the storerooms for food and drink

24
Q

What were the dungeons used for

A

Holding soldiers who were captured during war before their trial

25
Q

What was a solar

A

The room which the lady did embroidery and other work

26
Q

How was the great hall heated

A

With big fires either end of the hall

27
Q

What happened in the great hall

A

Meals and entertainment
The bailiff collected taxes from peasants
Soldiers were given orders
Criminals were tried

28
Q

What was the keep

A

The keep was the main building in the castle where the Lord, lady and his family lived. It was a large square tower