![]() Examples of shell-keeps are not very common but a good example can be seen at Restormel Castle in Cornwall England. Usually found on top of a motte or mound, there was no tower as such but a strong wall running around the perimeter of the motte providing a defensive enclosure there would be buildings built against it and a courtyard in the middle. Basically it is a castle within a castle as it has traditionally been used as a final defensive structure. Read more about medieval history.Īn interesting variation of the keep was sometimes constructed, called a shell-keep. A castle keep is usually the central tower located within a castle. One of the most famous Norman Keeps in the world is the White Tower at the Tower of London, built by William The Conqueror shortly after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. The living quarters would traditionally be at the top, above the hall and the storage rooms at the bottom. Towers at each corner, extending over the wallsģ.Ě forebuilding to defend the entrance, usually built above ground. Others in the group are sympathetic to his cause, and rather than arresting him, try and talk him into re-enlisting. Many can still be seen today and they usually have as their distinguishing features:ġ. Rossi, a baker before the war, falls in love with a baker's widow and decides to go AWOL, resuming his pre-war life. These keeps were very popular in England and Ireland during the 11th and 12th centuries. Perhaps the most well known type of castle keep is the "Norman Keep". check bellow for the other definitions of Castle. When used as verbs, castle means to house or keep in a castle, whereas keep means to continue in (a course or mode of action). In the 13th century things changed somewhat and many castles were constructed differently, without a traditional keep, with means of defence being concentrated in the castle towers, walls and even gatehouses. When used as nouns, castle means a large building that is fortified and contains many defences, whereas keep means care, notice. Such keeps were also not just used for defence but for actual living accommodation, storing armoury and often to guard the main well. ![]() The 12th century saw the development and use of battering rams and the resulting damage that could inflict upon a castle led to central keeps being built and no longer always square but cylindrical - a cylindrical structure was harder for battering rams to damage. In France early keeps were called donjons, in Germany they were called Bergfried. Basically it is a castle within a castle as it has traditionally been used as a final defensive structure.Įarly castle keeps (11th century) were usually just square towers and little more than a hall with strong walls. A castle keep is usually the central tower located within a castle.
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