🏰Medieval castles were multi-functional: serving as both military fortresses and lordly residences.
🌍The location of a castle was key, with hills, rivers, and defensive terrain chosen as ideal spots for building.
🏰🔒Various castle designs were used, including motte-and-bailey, keeps, and concentric castles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
🌉Castle gatehouses were heavily fortified, featuring drawbridges, portcullises, and murder-holes to repel attackers.
⛑️Advancements in castle design included improved arrow slits, stone machicolations, and fortifications against artillery.