HISTORY Assignment
In Europe, the castle was a common type of stronghold that provided both protection and living quarters for the king or lord of the land in which it stood. Castles were most common in Europe during the Middle Ages, but similar strongholds have been built in Japan, India, and other countries throughout the world. The castle remained the dominant fortification in Western Europe until the 15th century, when the introduction of the cannon and gunpowder required the development of new forms of fortification (Lordsandladies.org, 2014) During the Middle Ages Castles defence changed dramatically because of development in siege technology, building materials became advanced and exposure to new ideas also improved structure.
Castles …show more content…
There were 2 main key stages to castle architecture in the Middle Ages. The first dramatic change was Romanesque Castles. Romanesque Castles were the next stage from wood. Buttresses were introduced as a means of support to the basic design in Romanesque architecture in Medieval Times. The vault was developed to enable the construction of stone roofs. Barrel or Tunnel Vaults - consisted of a continuous surface of semicircular or pointed sections resembling a barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half lengthwise. Buttresses were introduced as a means of support to the basic design in Romanesque architecture in Medieval Times The next stage of Medieval architecture was Gothic Architecture. The use of the Gothic arch led to the construction of light and airy structures - lightening and heightening of Gothic structures. Gothic style architecture helped increased the amount of siege towers and wider window openings meant more sunlight and living, which probably meant better comfort for people. The Medieval Gothic Arch was a major feature of Middle Ages architecture. The Medieval architects and builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using pointed arches. The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner than previous styles of architecture because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than by the walls. The pointed Gothic arch provided greater flexibility could also span greater distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider. Thinner walls had wider window openings, which encouraged the use of stained glass and the distinctive Gothic Rose Windows. Concentric castles were also a major improvement after the discovery of gunpowder. Having many lines of defence improved a castle's chance to withstand a siege. Nevertheless, older castles had their walls severely strengthened. Sometimes they doubled the width of a wall.
In Europe, the castle was a common type of stronghold that provided both protection and living quarters for the king or lord of the land in which it stood. Castles were most common in Europe during the Middle Ages, but similar strongholds have been built in Japan, India, and other countries throughout the world. The castle remained the dominant fortification in Western Europe until the 15th century, when the introduction of the cannon and gunpowder required the development of new forms of fortification (Lordsandladies.org, 2014) During the Middle Ages Castles defence changed dramatically because of development in siege technology, building materials became advanced and exposure to new ideas also improved structure.
Castles …show more content…
There were 2 main key stages to castle architecture in the Middle Ages. The first dramatic change was Romanesque Castles. Romanesque Castles were the next stage from wood. Buttresses were introduced as a means of support to the basic design in Romanesque architecture in Medieval Times. The vault was developed to enable the construction of stone roofs. Barrel or Tunnel Vaults - consisted of a continuous surface of semicircular or pointed sections resembling a barrel or tunnel which has been cut in half lengthwise. Buttresses were introduced as a means of support to the basic design in Romanesque architecture in Medieval Times The next stage of Medieval architecture was Gothic Architecture. The use of the Gothic arch led to the construction of light and airy structures - lightening and heightening of Gothic structures. Gothic style architecture helped increased the amount of siege towers and wider window openings meant more sunlight and living, which probably meant better comfort for people. The Medieval Gothic Arch was a major feature of Middle Ages architecture. The Medieval architects and builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using pointed arches. The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner than previous styles of architecture because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than by the walls. The pointed Gothic arch provided greater flexibility could also span greater distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider. Thinner walls had wider window openings, which encouraged the use of stained glass and the distinctive Gothic Rose Windows. Concentric castles were also a major improvement after the discovery of gunpowder. Having many lines of defence improved a castle's chance to withstand a siege. Nevertheless, older castles had their walls severely strengthened. Sometimes they doubled the width of a wall.