A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages
predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders.
Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it
to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is
distinct from a palace, which is not fortified; from a fortress, which
was not always a residence for royalty or nobility; and from a
fortified settlement, which was a public defence â€" though there are
many similarities among these types of construction. Usage of the term
has varied over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as
hill forts and country houses. Over the approximately 900 years that
castles were built, they took on a great many forms with many
different features, although some, such as curtain walls, arrowslits,
and portcullises, were commonplace.European-style castles originated
in the 9th and 10th centuries, after the fall of the Carolingian
Empire resulted in its territory being divided among individual lords
and princes. These nobles built castles to control the area
immediately surrounding them and the castles were both offensive and
defensive structures; they provided a base from which raids could be
launched as well as offered protection from enemies. Although their
military origins are often emphasised in castle studies, the
structures also served as centres of administration and symbols of
power. Urban castles were used to control the local populace and
important travel routes, and rural castles were often situated near
features that were integral to life in the community, such as mills,
fertile land, or a water source.
predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders.
Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it
to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is
distinct from a palace, which is not fortified; from a fortress, which
was not always a residence for royalty or nobility; and from a
fortified settlement, which was a public defence â€" though there are
many similarities among these types of construction. Usage of the term
has varied over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as
hill forts and country houses. Over the approximately 900 years that
castles were built, they took on a great many forms with many
different features, although some, such as curtain walls, arrowslits,
and portcullises, were commonplace.European-style castles originated
in the 9th and 10th centuries, after the fall of the Carolingian
Empire resulted in its territory being divided among individual lords
and princes. These nobles built castles to control the area
immediately surrounding them and the castles were both offensive and
defensive structures; they provided a base from which raids could be
launched as well as offered protection from enemies. Although their
military origins are often emphasised in castle studies, the
structures also served as centres of administration and symbols of
power. Urban castles were used to control the local populace and
important travel routes, and rural castles were often situated near
features that were integral to life in the community, such as mills,
fertile land, or a water source.
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