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 PURPOSE OF CASTLES
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| Author | Topic: PURPOSE OF CASTLES |
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Buddy Member |
posted 03-12-2001 02:10 PM
  
Hi, I'm a 4th grader. What was the purpose of castles? Why were they first built throughout Europe in Middle Ages?? |
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Philip Davis unregistered |
posted 03-13-2001 01:34 AM
Castles are fortified homes of big land owners. They actually have many purposes but among these are; [1]Defending the home and land of a lord. Also on occasion the local people around the castle could shelter there. [2]Being a status symbol of the power of a lord. [3]As a strategic defense to a large area (blocking the invasion route into a country) [4]Being a legal administrative center - holding trials and sorting out disputes, being a prison, being a place of execution. As to why they were built. My view is this. The relative weakness of central government in european nations lead to the development of a feudal system where barons held bits of land from and for the countries ruler. Because central government was relatively weak and unable to offer effective legal or military protection barons fortified these fiefs to serve the above purposes. As soon as central government became strong enough to give effective legal and military protection castles became obsolete. This happen in England under Henry VIII. Contrary to much of what is said I personal don't believe that the introduction of gunpowder artillery had much to do directly with the demise of the castle (Although the cannon did help in the process of establishing strong central government.) ------------------ Visit Castellarium Philippis |
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toughguy12 Senior Member |
posted 05-02-2001 03:07 PM
Basicly, the purpose of a castle was a military fortress. For example, if the Welsh were attacking the English, the English would build some castles to take away some territory. The English would try to hold off the Welsh until more help arrived, therefore defeating the Welsh. |
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