Parts of a Castle

An inner courtyard of a castle. - Large courtyard outside of the inner ward but still held within the out curtainwall.

Bailey or Basilica or Outer Ward

Fighting position on the top of the castle wall or tower. This includes the crenelated wall and the wall walk.

Battlement

Top of a wall or tower that has lower sections (crenels) for the purpose of giving a castle defender a position to fight or fire through. This protective stonework is the classic outline of the top of a castle wall.

Crenelations

(Also called embrasures) Low sections of the crenelations.

Crenels

The encircling wall of a castle connecting the towers and other fortifications.

Curtain Wall

A wooden bridge across a moat or pit that can be raised or withdrawn making crossing impossible.

Drawbridge

Large inner courtyard contained inside a castle, usually the ward located around the keep.

Inner Ward

The central fortification in a castle, usually a tower or building strongly fortified in the inner ward that provides the defenders with a final defensive position, as well as providing living quarters. The keep often is also the tallest fortification in a castle, with a commanding view of all the fighting positions.

Keep

Trench dug around a castle often filled with water.

Moat

The natural or artificial hill upon which the keep of an early castle was built. (i.e., motte and bailey castles)

Motte

Walkway located behind the crenelations of a castle, or the fighting platform area of a castle tower.

Parapet

Sliding secondary gate used to guard a castle entrance, usually made of vertical and horizontal metal bars or reinforced wood beams. This was designed to make the use of rams against the main gate less effective.

Portcullis

Circular or Square fortification used to provide stability and additional defensive capabilities to the curtain wall.

Tower