What are the narrow windows in castles called?

What are the narrow windows in castles called? An arrowslit (often also referred to as an arrow loop, loophole or loop hole, and sometimes a balistraria) is a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows or a crossbowman can launch bolts.

What are the gaps in castle walls called?

These gaps are termed embrasures, also known as crenels or crenelles, and a wall or building with them is described as crenellated; alternative older terms are castellated and embattled.

How did people deal with body odor in medieval times?

Asides from normal body odor, it would depend. Bathing was more common than people nowdays think and most Medieval people tried to keep clean as much was reasonable. A richer noble or merchant might also use perfumes or other such things to smell nicer while others would likely smell of their surroundings.

What are the different parts of a castle called?

What is a bailey in a castle?

A bailey is the sturdy wall around a castle that keeps invaders out. The bailey of a medieval castle was usually built of stone. You might see a bailey — or the remains of one — if you tour a castle in England or France.

Why do castles have teeth?

These upright projections resemble teeth, bared at invaders to prevent their attempted entries and at allies to show the owner's strength.

What is a talus in a castle?

In architecture, the talus is a feature of some late medieval castles, especially prevalent in crusader constructions. It consists of a battered (sloping) face at the base of a fortified wall.

What are old castles called?

Medieval Castle: Motte and Bailey Castles Motte and Bailiey castles were the earliest form of medieval castles built completely from scratch by the Normans. As their name suggests they had two parts the Motte and the Bailey. The Motte was a large hill made of earth on which was built a wooden keep or lookout.

What do castles smell like?

Castles and manor houses often smelled damp and musty. To counteract this, herbs and rushes were strewn across the floors.

Were castles cold to live in?

Castles weren't always cold and dark places to live. The hall would also have had tapestries which would have insulated the room against too much cold. Remains of a fireplace at Conwy Castle, Wales.

What is a turret in a castle?

In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification.

Do castles have toilets?

In the medieval period luxury castles were built with indoor toilets known as 'garderobes', and the waste dropped into a pit below.

What replaced castles?

As a result, true castles went into decline and were replaced by artillery forts with no role in civil administration, and country houses that were indefensible.

What is a rampart in a castle?

In fortification architecture, a bank or rampart is a length of embankment or wall forming part of the defensive boundary of a castle, hillfort, settlement or other fortified site. It is usually broad-topped and made of excavated earth and/or masonry.