posted 06-30-99 07:00 PM           

A few common myths;
Castles are made of stone.
Most castles were made of earth and wood. These castles can be found in many places in europe but are normally eroded mounds of earth which take much imagination to see in their original glory. Some of the stone castles have survived and it is these that capture the modern imagination. There were rather more castles than most people imagine,
over 500 in Wales, about 1500 in England, 5500 in Germany and Austria.

Defenders poured boiling oil on attackers.
Oil was expensive in northern europe and anyway would have burnt wood or cracked stone walls. Defenders would have thrown stones, quicklime and **** for sure and possibly hot sand or boiling water.

Castles have deep damp dungeons.
A few larger castles (and many bishops' castles) had specific prison cells, which are occassional below ground level but are usually at ground level. Most castles had ground floor cellars which could be used as prisons if necessary but were generally for storing food. Below ground level chambers or cellars are rare in British castles.