Medieval Castles: Initial Questions


Here are some of our initial questions about medieval castles:

1.  What materials were typically used to build castles?

2.  How long did they take to build?

3.  Was there a certain design that was the most popular or "the best"?

4.  Were castles easier to attack or to defend?

5.  What was the most effective method for attacking a medieval castle?

6.  Why don't people continue to build castles today?



One of the readings mentions that some castles contained "dovecotes and stables", and an inquisitive student asked me about the word "dovecote." 

A dovecote was a special building for keeping pigeons and doves. These birds were especially valued in medieval England, for both their meat and their eggs.

Here's a sketch of the inside of a dovecote...

Why do you think pigeons were so popular during the Middle Ages?

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