Castle Quest - Reply to Topic

Forum:	Castles In General & Medieval History
Topic:	machicolations

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Carolyn I have seen many pictures of machicolations below arrow loops. Were both these accessible from the same wall walk? Thanks!
Philip Davis Machicolations are relatively uncommon in English and Welsh castles but where ever I have seen them they have indeed been accessable from the same wall walk as the loops.
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wurdsmiff Machicolations are a relatively common feature of Scottish Castles, appearing around the parapet of many, whilst placed in stategic positions, eg above doors on others.
Arrow loops have a similar distribution, though from my experience tend to be through the wall well below parapet level, where covering fire could be given to similar stategic areas. I can't help but wonder if you are confusing arrow loops and crenels, the latter being the spaces between the tooth like projections (merlons) of a battlement.
Certainly from my perspective machicolations were accessible from the wall walk when part of an overhanging parapet, though it is less likely in this situation that they would be paired with arrow loops. A more likely circumstance would be if they were incorporated within the structure of a bartizan,wing, turret, or caphouse, wherever a more substantial structure was situated. In this circumstance they could both be accessible from the wall walk, but not as directly as you expect.