If you love medieval castles but feel a bit lost when visiting one because of the terminology used to describe them, fear no more! I got your back!! I’ve put together for you a mini architecture guide to help you navigate Medieval Castle vocabulary and enjoy your visits even more.
Ever heard of Machicolation? Bartizan? Crenels? Portcullis?
What is the moat? Which building is the Barbican? What is the Keep?
There are so many words used to describe medieval castles and some are a bit weird to say the least.
So here it is, because I’ve just celebrated my Birthday (I’m not going to tell you how old I am, so don’t even ask!), I wanted to give you a little gift for this occasion.
I’ve designed this mini pocket guide to help you on your next tour of a medieval castle.
My hopes is that :
– It will help you better understand where you are in the castle, especially when visiting ruins.
– It will help you enjoy visiting castles even more. They are so much fun! and so interesting.
– Maybe it will even help you answer your kids’ question when they keep on asking: what’s this? What’s that?
Oh! And this mini guide might help you brag a bit, as you will know most of the very specific terminology. And I bet that most people around you will have no idea what they mean!
Castles are like people, they come in all kinds of shapes and are all different from one another. It’s impossible to describe every configuration and characteristics so this mini guide is focused on the main features.
Please do forgive me for any typos, remember I’m French 😉
If you have constructive criticism to share, please do so.
This first mini guide is only for Medieval Castles. If you like it, I will design one for Renaissance Castles: you know the ones you can find in the Loire Valley like the magnificent Chateau of Chambord.
I finalise my mini guide for church vocabulary. You should check it out here. And I have loads of other mini guide ideas as well…
It’s completely free! So do not hesitate to download and share!
Instructions:
Choose the right file for you depending on the paper size you will be using: Letter US or A4. Use the links below to open the corresponding PDF file.
Pocket guide – Medieval castle vocabulary – letter US format
Pocket guide – Medieval castle vocabulary – A4 format
You just need to print. Try to make sure that you set your printer on 100%. If you add margins to the document, when folding, some of the info might end up on the wrong side.
This is a one side print. Printing in color would be best of course.
Fold in half horizontally. You can glue it, so it holds better.
Then fold in half vertically.
And then again fold each side, in half. It’s like a little accordion!
And tada!!! it’s done!
You have a little guide that you can easily carry in your pocket and use when touring Europe and visiting Medieval Castles.
Check out the pictures I took of our visit of the Coshem Castle and the Eltz Castle in Germany. Great examples of Medieval style!
One amazing project you should also check out is the Guedelon Castle. A Medieval castle is being built with medieval technics, in the 21st century. It’s an amazing project!
If you like it, please like it and share it with your friends!
One more thing… I’m working on a bigger Medieval castle architecture guide. Here is below, one of the drawing you’ll find in there… But you have to be patient!
