How were portcullis opened?

The raising of the heavy portcullis was sometimes assisted with counter weights, pulleys, and rope. Often times a quick release device was used to quickly lower the portcullis. When the castle came under attack, a guard could take a sledge hammer and hit the release latch. The portcullis would quickly drop closed.

Why did portcullis have holes?

Portcullises fortified the entrances to many medieval castles, securely closing off the castle during time of attack or siege. Every portcullis was mounted in vertical grooves in the walls of the castle and could be raised or lowered quickly by means of chains or ropes attached to an internal winch.

What is a portcullis gate?

A portcullis is a heavy castle door or gate made of metal strips that form a grid. The Old French root is porte coleice, “sliding gate,” which combines coleice, “sliding or flowing,” and porte, “gate or door.”

What is the Motte in a castle?

Motte & Bailey Castles. A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle situated on a raised earthwork and surrounded by a ditch and protective fence. Mottes were mounds, some natural, some man made, surmounted by a tower. Around them was a ditch, sometimes filled with water.

What was the most important room in any 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. King Arthur’s Pentecost Feast takes place in such a Hall.

How do you defend against a trebuchet in medieval times?

Trebuchets will destroy everything if left to their own devices. They’re the trickiest attackers to deal with as they will sit back from the other raiders and slowly chunk away at your base. The only real way to deal with Trebuchets is to charge them with your settlers.

How do you breach a castle wall?

Invaders smashed the walls with battering rams and launched heavy stone projectiles and flaming projectiles at and over the walls. They used catapults, trebuchets (heavy sling weapons) and ballistae (large mounted crossbows). Another way to bring down castle walls was to mine under them.

Did castles really have drawbridges?

Medieval castles were usually defended by a ditch or moat, crossed by a wooden bridge. In early castles the bridge might be designed to be destroyed or removed in the event of an attack, but drawbridges became very common.

What was the purpose of the portcullis?

Facts: The Castle Portcullis was used for defensive purposes. The Portcullis was a heavy grilled door that was suspended from the Barbican or gatehouse ceiling. The portcullis was meant to be lowered quickly in times of attack. Ropes could be rapidly slashed or a quick release catch was enabled.

What is the difference between a portcullis and a dungeon?

A portcullis was a heavy metal gate at the entrance of a castle. The defenders could lower the portcullis to trap any attackers at the gatehouse and stop others getting in. This portcullis is at Edinburgh Castle (above). A castle dungeon was a room used to hold prisoners, usually underground.

When was the first Portcullis built?

The portcullis dates back to Roman times and can be first seen around the year 476 AD. In medieval Europe, their design wasn’t incorporated into castles until the 12th century. Early portcullises were made of strong wood and sometimes plated in metal.

What is the difference between a drawbridge and a portcullis?

A drawbridge was a bridge which could be pulled up to stop enemies getting in. Drawbridges usually went over a ditch or a moat. The drawbridge at Threave Castle near Castle Douglas (above) went over a moat flooded with water from the River Dee. A portcullis was a heavy metal gate at the entrance of a castle.