How does a murder hole work in the medieval times?
A murder hole or meurtrière is a hole in the ceiling of a gateway or passageway in a fortification through which the defenders could fire, throw or pour harmful substances or objects such as rocks, arrows, scalding water, hot sand, quicklime, tar, or boiling oil, down on attackers.
How were murder holes used?
A machicolation is a little like a balcony with holes in the floor, built high on the side of a castle. Those defending a castle could throw objects through this hole at attackers below.
When were murder holes used?
Murder holes were essential elements of a medieval gatehouse as the gatehouse was built to protect the castles entrance from enemy attack as it was traditionally the most vulnerable part of the medieval castle.
When was Murderholes made?
Here you will see the Machicolations, commonly known as Murder Holes. You have now walked over the moat, created in the 13th century for defence, by damming the River Len and flooding the valley.
What is the most important room in a castle?
The most important room in a castle was the Great Hall. This is where all the members of the household sat down to eat at tables set up for every meal. It was where feasts were held for special days, or when there were guests.
What are the holes in castle walls called?
Arrow slits or loop-holes (archeres) An arrowslit is a thin vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows. It is alternatively referred to as an arrow loop, loop hole, or archere, and sometimes a balistraria.
What are the holes in a castle wall called?
Putlog holes or putlock holes are small holes made in the walls of structures to receive the ends of poles (small round logs) or beams, called putlogs or putlocks, to support a scaffolding. Putlog holes may extend through a wall to provide staging on both sides of the wall.
Why do castles have arrow slits?
Arrow-loops or arrow-slits were narrow openings or crosses set inside walls and towers enabling defenders to launch arrows at potential attackers from outside. After gunpowder was introduced, round openings were often added to accommodate firearms.
What is the weakest part of a castle?
The entrance to the castle was always its weakest point. Drawbridges could be pulled up, preventing access across moats. Tall gate towers meant that defenders could shoot down in safety at attacks below. The main gate or door to the castle was usually a thick, iron-studded wooden door, that was hard to break through.
What is the first room of a castle called?
great hall
A great hall is the main room of a royal palace, castle or a large manor house or hall house in the Middle Ages, and continued to be built in the country houses of the 16th and early 17th centuries, although by then the family used the great chamber for eating and relaxing.
What is the tallest part of a castle?
The main tower that this was built around was still called the Keep and it was usually the tallest and strongest structure in the castle. It was also used as the last line of defense during siege or attack. Moat: A Body of water surrounding the outer wall of a castle.