What is one feature of a medieval castle?

Features of Castles A drawbridge could be lowered to allow people to cross over the moat into the castle, and the drawbridge would be raised to keep others out. In the center of the castle, the keep was a special tower designed to be the safest place within the castle walls. Food was often stored in the keep.



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These early castles were mainly of motte and bailey type. The 'motte' was made up of a large mound of earth with a wooden tower on top, while the 'bailey' was a large ditch and bank enclosure which surrounded the motte. These timber castles were quite cheap and very quick to build.

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Walls. One of the most important features in a castle was its walls. Whether made of wood, stone or brick, they provided a barrier to enemy attackers. They typically included wall walks, which were used by the defenders to resist attempts to scale the walls or to shoot missiles at the besiegers.

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Castle Features
  • Outer defenses.
  • Moat.
  • Walls (inner and outer)
  • Towers (inner and outer)
  • Gatehouses, drawbridges and barbicans.
  • Inner defenses.
  • Baileys or wards.
  • Living quarters and support buildings.


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The typical features of a medieval castle were: Moat - a perimeter ditch with or without water. Barbican - a fortification to protect a gate. Curtain Walls & Towers - the perimeter defensive wall.

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Walls and towers Thick stone walls and tall towers kept the castle's inhabitants safe from attack, even when an enemy army besieged (surrounded) the castle.

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When one studies the Medieval period, a few factors are typically seen as being the characteristics common to the period. Among these include: deurbanization, military invasions, population redistribution, and migrations of people to new areas.

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The medieval towns were surrounded by a moat and walls made of stone or brick. The walls had towers, round or square, designed both for defense and as a decoration. Nuremberg for example had more than eighty. Access in town was permitted only through the vaulted access gates which were closed at night.

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Top 10 Facts About Castles!
  • Castles were built to defend! ...
  • Castles were often surrounded by moats with a drawbridge. ...
  • Towers and turrets were perfect for guards to keep watch. ...
  • The keep was the safest place to be. ...
  • Castles were bustling and full of people! ...
  • Knights would defend the castle. ...
  • Castles had beautiful gardens.


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Medieval castles were generally built in the motte and bailey style and medieval castle toilets were no more than a wooden bench with a hole. Excrement ran straight out into the moat. They were called 'garderobes' because clothes were kept there to repel insects and moths.

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Particularly large towers are often the strongest point of the castle: the keep or the bergfried. As the gate is always a vulnerable point of a castle, towers may be built near it to strengthen the defences at this point.

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A castle is fundamentally two things, a residence for a laird, and a place that offers significant protection. If it's only one or the other, that's problematic. A grand building with no defensive features would be a palace, chateau or country house.

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The keep was the most essential part of a castle and could be defended even after castle walls had been breached. Keeps were originally called donjons, the French term for stronghold. The basement was sometimes used as a prison or dungeon, which became too easily confused with donjon, so the term keep was adopted.

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: a large fortified building or set of buildings. b. : a massive or imposing house. 2. : a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion.

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Usual height for the motte of a large motte and bailey: 30 feet (9 m). Height of the walls of Framlingham Castle in England: 40 feet (12 m). Height of the keep at Dover Castle in England: 80 feet (24 m). Height of the tallest tower at Warwick Castle in England: 128 feet (39 m).

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