Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: Karen W. on 16/04/2007 00:20:08

Title: WHY WERE CASTLES BUILT WITH TURRETS?
Post by: Karen W. on 16/04/2007 00:20:08

Were they for defending the castle during battles or attack? You Know like stationing knights or guards high up with protection but also access to use their weapons? Did the turrets provide protection like a shield to the fighting men or what?

Title: WHY WERE CASTLES BUILT WITH TURRETS?
Post by: DrDick on 16/04/2007 01:13:09

Karen,
  I'm not sure what you mean by turret, but they were defensive structures.  A turret is simply a tower of some sort.  The turrets did have other structures that helped give further protection.  The battlement was the top of the tower, where archers, etc. could shoot from.  Further modifications of the battlement walls included crenelated walls (crenels are the dips and merlons are the crests of the battlement walls) so archers could shoot out while having some protection from incoming arrows.


Dick

Title: WHY WERE CASTLES BUILT WITH TURRETS?
Post by: another_someone on 16/04/2007 01:20:52

The turrets would have provided positions where the defenders could fire upon attackers who may have been trying to scale, or otherwise attack, the main walls.

Title: WHY WERE CASTLES BUILT WITH TURRETS?
Post by: Karen W. on 16/04/2007 04:50:31

Yes it is the part of the tower I was referring I did not know the proper term for the dips and crests LOL.. I kind a thought they were for protection and battle positions!!

Title: WHY WERE CASTLES BUILT WITH TURRETS?
Post by: paul.fr on 16/04/2007 09:32:47

when the kingdoms were quiet, ie not at war, turrets were also used for decorative purposes and status symbols.