What are the key features of a square keep castle?

What are the key features of a square keep castle?

A stone keep was the central feature, with thick walls and few windows. Entrance to the keep was by stone steps leading to the first floor. The kitchens were situated on the ground floor while living quarters were on the upper floors. The first keeps were rectangular in shape but later ones were often circular.

What is the purpose of a keep in a castle?

A medieval castle keep was a kind of fortified tower that had central importance in the defence of the castle. It also served the purpose of imprisoning political prisoners since it was considered one of the most impenetrable castle parts.

Why were square keep castles built?

Stone castles were built on a square or rectangular plan. Attackers had to simply find a way of tunnelling underneath one of the corners to bring down a whole section of the castle. Siege weapons like the trebuchet could fire heavy rocks, if these missiles hit a flat surface there would be major damage to the castle.

What is the difference between a keep and a castle?

Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.

Who lived in square keep castles?

Normans
A Stone Keep Castle is a type of castle built in the 11th and 12th Centuries by the Normans who originally came from France. The people who built them and lived in them were typically rich noblemen and their families who wanted to show their power and status.

What are the disadvantages of a square keep castle?

Square keeps did have their weaknesses. It was possible to undermine the corners of a square keeps to make them collapse. Enemy minors would dig tunnels beneath the castle at the corner removing the foundations and replacing them with wooden props.

What is the safest part of a castle?

With its extra thick walls and protected entrance, the keep was generally the safest place in a castle during the siege warfare of the 11th and 12th century CE. Inside the largest building a person in the Middle Ages likely ever saw in their lives was the Great Hall, castle chapel, and residential quarters.

What were the advantages of square keep castles?

Square keep castles were made of stone to last longer – stone was guaranteed not to rot so these castles were much stronger than wooden motte and bailey ones. Because of the strength of stone it can be built up to provide an advantage in height and giving a good view for miles.

What are the 3 types of castles?

The three main types of castles are the motte and bailey castle, the stone keep castle, and the concentric castle.

What is the purpose of a keep?

The Keep was the inner stronghold of the castle. It was usually either square or round. The keep was the center of castle life, often serving as the lord’s residence, and was usually the place of last refuge when defending the castle.

What is a square keep castle called?

What is a square keep castle? The keep (also known as a donjon) was a tower which was surrounded by a stone wall, often three metres thick. Stone keep castles were also known as square keep castles, since they were often square in shape. Their square shape made them easy to construct quickly.

What are some facts about round keep castles?

Facts about round keep castles? round keep castles came after the square keep castle. you had to have skilled men to make then . Who lived in square keep castles? The Normans lived in the square keep castles Where were square keep castles built? Square keep castles were mainly built far from villages

Why did square keep castles change to concentric castles?

Square keep castles changed to concentric castles because castles got upgraded as we evolved, so did ideas for castles with more defence, space and attack power. When did square keep castles turn into concentric castles?

What is an example of a square keep?

Square Keep Castles The square keep, as the name implies, was square or nearly square in plan, and it rise sheer to the battlements. In the larger examples, the entrance is covered by a fore building, generally of the full width of one side, but of inferior height.