Page 55 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Castles SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Buildings p.48
▸ ▸ Engineering p.91
Most castles were built between 1000 and 1500 ce. They ▸ ▸ Europe p.94
had homes and workshops inside their walls. Kings and ▸ ▸ Imperial Japan
wealthy people built castles as protection from enemy p.131

attack. Once cannons were invented, they were no longer ▸ ▸ Knights p.142
safe. Many fell apart over time, but some are still standing. ▸ ▸ Homes
pp.244–245

Stone castles The bailey was The largest tower
Later castles in Europe had stone walls an open space inside in the castle was Stone walls
called the keep.
the castle with areas
and towers. The biggest ones could hold for growing food. were difficult for
hundreds of soldiers. Smaller stone attackers to climb.
castles were home to just Sheep and other
a single family and livestock were kept
its servants. safe in the castle.

The drawbridge
could be lifted to
keep the enemy
out of the castle. Some castles had
a water-filled moat
Early castles People kept watch around them for
extra protection.
Hundreds of “motte and bailey” castles for the enemy from
were built from 1020–1200. They had tall towers.
two parts—a mound of earth
(motte) topped by a tower, Himeji Castle in south Japan is
and a courtyard (bailey). called “the white heron” as its
peaks look like wings flapping.

Japanese fortress
Castles in Japan were
Many castles
were built on designed with towers built
hilltops so they of both wood and stone.
had a clear view The central tower was used
of everything
around them. as the main hideout if the
castle was attacked.

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