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What are the gaps in a castle called?

In this wall were gaps or spaces called crenels, which were usually square or rectangular and placed at regular intervals. They're the distinct two- to three-foot-wide gaps you see at the very top of castle walls. Sometimes crenels are also called embrasures.



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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.

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Castle Terminology
  • The Towers. These tall, round or square structures were built into the length or corners of the castle walls. ...
  • The Gate. The entrance was often the weakest part in a castle. ...
  • The Bailey or Ward. ...
  • The Keep or Donjon. ...
  • The Curtain Walls. ...
  • The Moat. ...
  • The Battlement.


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A murder hole or meurtrière is a hole in the ceiling of a gateway or passageway in a fortification through which the defenders could shoot, throw or pour harmful substances or objects such as rocks, arrows, scalding water, hot sand, quicklime, or boiling oil, down on attackers.

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moat, a depression surrounding a castle, city wall, or other fortification, usually but not always filled with water. The existence of a moat was a natural result of early methods of fortification by earthworks, for the ditch produced by the removal of earth to form a rampart made a valuable part of the defense system.

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Batter (Plinth) The angled lower part of a tower or wall. Missiles dropped from the top of the towers or wall onto the plinth cause them to richochet horizontally into the attackers doing more damage. Plinths also strengthened the bases of the towers or walls and also made it harder to undermine them.

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The layout of a medieval castle consisted of a moat, typically filled with water, thick walls and towers as another layer of protection, and a barbican to protect the gate. How were medieval castles designed? Medieval castles had defensive walls, moats, and towers to protect them from attackers.

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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.

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