Castle Quest - Reply to Topic

Forum:	Castles In General & Medieval History
Topic:	strengths of castles from 1066-1300?

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T O P I C R E V I E W
peter hickman When did Concentric Castles date from
Merlin From the dates you gave I think you're mainly interested in english castles and I'm not expert for that area. From the central european perspective concentric castles appeard in the middle of the 13th century. Especially under count Peter I. of Savoy were built castles with a rectangular shape and round towers in every corner and similar but smaller outer defences. Two good examples:
http://www.swisscastles.ch/Vaud/morges/default.htm
http://www.swisscastles.ch/Vaud/chateau/Champvent.html
The idea itself is certainly much older and dates back into ancient roman times. But the "fashion" of castle-building in the 12th and 13th centuries (also in england!) was very much influenced by the crusaders-castles, were concentric and other special types of castle-layouts have been developed...

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[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited 11-09-2001).]
Erik Schmidt Merlin, the castles you link to are not concentric, but square.
The term 'concentric' refers to a symmetrical castle having two sets of walls. I think a castle with two sets of walls that is not symmetrical is not considered concentric. Hmm....these terms can be a little vague sometimes.
As for your question Peter, I'm sorry but I can't help you. Hopefully someone with good knowledge of Englich castles will shed some light on the matter.
I hope you were referring to concentric and not asymmetrical castles.
Erik
Merlin Seems like I misunderstood something here. I thought that the term "concentric" doesn't necessarily refer to circles, but that also square shapes can lead to a "concentric" floorplan, if the outer walls have the same layout as the innermost, just for a larger space. At my examples the outer wall has vanished, but the strict symmetriy of the inner part is still visible.
Sorry, but I never saw a castle with several exact circle-walls as a protection. At maximum one circle wall and several round ditches around it. But if someone finds an example, then I'm glad to see it.
Erik Schmidt "....the term "concentric" doesn't necessarily refer to circles, but that also square shapes can lead to a "concentric" floorplan, if the outer walls have the same layout as the innermost..." You are correct Merlin.
I didn't realize that the castles you linked to once had a second wall. But since the outer walls no longer exist they are no longer very good examples of concentric castles.
"....I never saw a castle with several exact circle-walls as a protection...." Me neither Merlin.
Erik
Levan A wee book describing the development of castles in differnet shapes and sizes and comparing their various merits is:
"Castles: Their Construction and History" by Sidney Toy.
It's an old book, but still widely available.
Levan
Erik Schmidt I have to get that book, I've been looking out for it for a while now. Trying to get it here in Oz is a bit tricky though.
Erik