Large stone castles were built in Europe from about the 1100’s to about the 1500’s. They were built to house the rich. Castles were also made, to keep out invaders like Vikings! Who lived in these Castles, You may ask. Well the Kings and Lords of course! Castles would be passed down to the Sons of the kings and lords. If the lord or king did not have a son, and only a daughter, it would then get passed down to the daughter and her husband. Many castles were built in strange shapes because the castle was designed to keep invaders out. The Castles were made of wood or stone, the only available building materials. Of the two, Stone was the better Material. Wood was bad, because in could break easily, could decay, and be set on fire, in contrast to stone, which lasted a long time, was very sturdy, and was inflammable.
Knights were in charge of keeping invaders out. Knights had many tricks up their sleeves. Knights would use every thing from catapults, to sage to keep invaders out! The castle was also designed with a moat and drawbridge, most people think this was to keep invaders out, but it was mainly for show. Before gunpowder was made, knights would dig tunnels under the enemies’ castles, to make them collapse. Some castles were built on rock, so they could not be broken. Castles very a very important part in the Middle Ages.
“Castle 1.” Frees photos bank. Web. May 1, 2014. http://www.freephotosbank.com/search.php?q=castle&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0
“Castle 2.” Frees photos bank. Web. May 1, 2014. http://www.freephotosbank.com/search.php?q=castle&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0
“Castle 3.” Frees photos bank. Web. May 1, 2014. http://www.freephotosbank.com/search.php?q=castle&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0