History of Castles

From about 1600 B.C. walls as remote as the ones of Babylon and the curtain wall of Ashur have started the history of castles. The main function of castles was for defense reasons. They were always surrounded by a curtain wall, which was held by a reinforced shield wall at strategic points. A drawbridge protected the main entrance. The stronghold was the last refuge. It was the strongest, tallest building within the walls. The entrance was high enough that a ladder or wooden bridge had to be used to get to it. This was also used as a watchtower and was something of a status symbol. The main building was called the "great hall" or Palas. There was even a chapel often installed in one of the main towers.

Romans during the third century B.C. were very interested in castle ruins. As artilleries got stronger castles had to be reinforced and some became residences instead. The medieval castle originated in the ninth century in France, western Germany and northern Italy because the nobles began building fortifications in response to increasing insecurity in the region.

In Europe in the Middle Ages the castle was a fortified residence of a nobleman. It served well as a military function. This was for defense against the Vikings in this era. The earliest known castle is the Loire Valley in northern France at Doue-la-Fontaine as far back as 950.

Early castles were constructed of earthwork and timber. Conversion of timber to stone happened in the 12th century.