Castle
(from Latin castellum, "small fortified place"), fortified residence of
a feudal lord or monarch, and members of his court, during the Middle
Ages. In the Middle Ages, Europe was in an almost constant state of
warfare, and the primary purpose of a castle was to function as a place
of refuge and as a military stronghold. Castles were built to withstand
attack and siege. As well as protecting the king or lord and his people,
castles also served as prisons, as safe places for storing treasure, as
arsenals for weapons and the machinery of warfare, and as administrative
centres for the surrounding area.
The Castle and the Countryside
Castles were built in locations that enhanced their defensive
capabilities. Almost any high point made a castle easier to defend and
more difficult to attack. An ideal location was on the edge of high
cliffs overlooking a bend in a river, commanding an extensive view of
the surrounding countryside. Château Gailliard, built by Richard I at
Les Andelys, in Normandy, and Peveril Castle, in Derbyshire, are notable
examples of strategically located castles. In areas where there were no
hills or cliffs, castles tended to be moated. The Tower of London, a
moated castle, was built by William the Conqueror to defend a
crossing-place on the Thames.
Built to defend a king's or nobleman's territory, a castle dominated the
area in which it was set. Over time, however, it became a source of
security for the inhabitants of the surrounding countryside. As part of
their feudal obligations, the local inhabitants served in the castle
garrison for a fixed period, or provided food or other goods and
services. Local commerce was also controlled from the castle; royal
castles often controlled local market towns, the king or lord gaining
revenue from the collection of market tolls. The castle also functioned
as an administrative centre of the king's or lord's local estates, and
served as a courthouse for local tenants and as prison for those
awaiting trial.
