Why were castles built out of stone and not wood?
Why were castles built out of stone and not wood? They were very vulnerable to attacks using fire and the wood would eventually start to rot. Due to these disadvantages, King William ordered that castles should be built in stone. Many of the original timber castles were replaced with stone castles.
Why were stone keeps built?
Stone keep castles became the norm during the 11th and 12th centuries, especially during the Norman Invasion of England. They were largely constructed by William the Conqueror, and his barons, who wanted to show their power and status on their new lands.
What is the oldest castle in the world?
The oldest castle in the world that we currently know about is the Aleppo Citadel in Aleppo, Syria. It was constructed sometime around 3000 BCE!
What were the weaknesses of Stone Keep castles?
However there still remained a number of weaknesses within the design of these castles. Stone keeps are square and an attacker could, if they were fortunate enough to get close enough, mine underneath a corner and wait for the weight of the castle to bring the walls caving in.
How long do castles last?
There are always exceptions to this, but it would appear that a few hundred years is the maximum a castle will survive without maintenance. A very well built castle will last indefinitely. Older castles may last longer than more recent ones.
Why did they build castles so big?
The castles were required so that the Normans could remain safe and in control. Major castles were built in or near large centres of population. On the edge of London William the Conqueror had a massive square keep constructed as a reminder to the Londoners that he was their king.
Why did castles stop being useful?
Castles were great defences against the enemy. However, when gunpowder was invented the castles stopped being an effective form of defence. By the end of the 1300s gunpowder was widely in use. The medieval castle with its high vertical walls was no longer the invincible fortification it had been.