CASTLES The medieval castle was used as a weapon unto itself and its defending garrison of soldiers exploited every possible advantage.The medieval castle was used as a weapon unto itself and its defending garrison of soldiers exploited every possible advantage. Stone curtain walls were constructed anywhere between 20 and 40 feet high and 7 to 20 feet thick.Stone curtain walls were constructed anywhere between 20 and 40 feet high and 7 to 20 feet thick. Attacking armies liked cover, so the surrounding land near the castle would often be cleared, and vulnerable approaches would be heavily fortified.Attacking armies liked cover, so the surrounding land near the castle would often be cleared, and vulnerable approaches would be heavily fortified.

Towers came in several shapes: circular, semi-circular, and square.Towers came in several shapes: circular, semi-circular, and square. These towers were used in other capacities, such as storehouses and prisons.These towers were used in other capacities, such as storehouses and prisons. Castle moats could either be wet or dry. Moats were used defensively from the earliest medieval castles throughout the Middle Ages.Castle moats could either be wet or dry. Moats were used defensively from the earliest medieval castles throughout the Middle Ages. The castle's most vulnerable point was often the front door. Portcullises and castle drawbridges were used to provide defense.The castle's most vulnerable point was often the front door. Portcullises and castle drawbridges were used to provide defense.

A battlement, comprises a parapet, in which portions have been cut out at intervals to allow the discharge of arrows or other missiles. These cut-out portions form.A battlement, comprises a parapet, in which portions have been cut out at intervals to allow the discharge of arrows or other missiles. These cut-out portions form crenels. A wall with battlements is said to be crenellated or embattled.A wall with battlements is said to be crenellated or embattled.

Gatehouses were impressive, and often rose several stories high. They also contained both living quarters for soldiers and the devices that controlled heavy, protective, grilled gates called portcullises.Gatehouses were impressive, and often rose several stories high. They also contained both living quarters for soldiers and the devices that controlled heavy, protective, grilled gates called portcullises. Larger castles might feature several of these doors that would be used to trap attacking soldiers in narrow, winding hallwaysLarger castles might feature several of these doors that would be used to trap attacking soldiers in narrow, winding hallways

The word dungeon comes from the French "Donjon" which means tower.The word dungeon comes from the French "Donjon" which means tower. This means that, contrary to popular belief, dungeons were not located in the dark and cold basement of a castle, but regularly on the castle's highest tower.This means that, contrary to popular belief, dungeons were not located in the dark and cold basement of a castle, but regularly on the castle's highest tower. Those who were confined in an underground dungeon, usually stayed there for their whole lifetime. Whilst the space in the high tower was limited and prisoners in a tower would be either executed or set free. Dungeons were frequently host to many torture devices in which inmates would be either killed or heavily tortured. This was especially frequent after the XII century and even more during the inquisition.Those who were confined in an underground dungeon, usually stayed there for their whole lifetime. Whilst the space in the high tower was limited and prisoners in a tower would be either executed or set free. Dungeons were frequently host to many torture devices in which inmates would be either killed or heavily tortured. This was especially frequent after the XII century and even more during the inquisition. torture devices torture devices

Castles, having been built so resistant, were frequently turned into prisons. Both the French Bastille and the English Tower of London served for that purpose over the years.Castles, having been built so resistant, were frequently turned into prisons. Both the French Bastille and the English Tower of London served for that purpose over the years. Dungeons were frequently host to manyDungeons were frequently host to many torture devices torture devices

Caernafon Castle, Wales, 13 th century

Harlech Castle, Wales, 13 th century

Dover Castle, England, 12 th century

Bodiam Castle, England, 14 th century

GOTHIC CATHEDRALS The main features are: the pointed or stilted arch, the ribbed vault, and the flying buttress.

Gothic church usually shows the nave as considerably taller than it is wide.Gothic church usually shows the nave as considerably taller than it is wide. The extreme of actual internal height was achieved at Beauvais Cathedral (48 m).The extreme of actual internal height was achieved at Beauvais Cathedral (48 m).

the structure of Gothic windows developed from simple openings to immensely rich and decorative sculptural designs.the structure of Gothic windows developed from simple openings to immensely rich and decorative sculptural designs. The windows were very often filled with which added a dimension of colour to the light within the building, as well as providing a medium for figurative and narrative artThe windows were very often filled with stained glass which added a dimension of colour to the light within the building, as well as providing a medium for figurative and narrative art

Rose or wheel windows

Gargoyles a gargoyle is a carved stone grotestque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a buildinga gargoyle is a carved stone grotestque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building

Vaultings Exeter cathedral The longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England

Salisbury Cathedral

Bath Cathedral – fan valuting

Oxford Cathedral – star vaulting

Tewkesbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion.It is the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. An essential moment in the history of Canterbury Cathedral was the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 by knights of King Henry II. The king had frequent conflicts is said to have exclaimed in frustration, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" The knights took it literally and murdered Becket in his own cathedral. An essential moment in the history of Canterbury Cathedral was the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170 by knights of King Henry II. The king had frequent conflicts is said to have exclaimed in frustration, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" The knights took it literally and murdered Becket in his own cathedral.