What is a castle?

Castle It. 1. a fortified building or set of buildings as in medieval Europe. 2. any fortified place or structure. 3. a large magnificent house, csp. when the present or former home of a noble man or prince. fCll: from L. castdhiin, dim. of castnm fort].

{Collins Concise Dictionary, 1989)

The term ‘castle’ really belongs to the Middle Ages. Strictly speaking this covers any time between ad 500 and the year 1500, although many modern historians regard it as the 500 years between the eleventh and sixteenth century. For the purpose of this book I have not included any places built after this date.

A castle was a fortified residence of the Lord of the Manor, not necessarily a king, prince or lord, but anyone with feudal rights (those to whom homage was due from a lower class). It was a private place, not part of the public domain. It was the dwelling of the warrior or clerical aristocracy who dominated the period. It was part of the status of the individual to show his importance and domination of an area.

Originally a castle was exclusively designed for military purposes. However, over the years many changed to become domestic dwellings as the threat of violence decreased, as at Wingfield (see page 82). They were also extremely draughty and uncomfortable places to live. Many were old fashioned and lacked modern facilities. Some, like Denham, were isolated, became unsuitable for alteration and were abandoned. They were also extremely expensive to build and maintain. Evidence of massive earthworks like Haughley must have been an immense drain on the local labour force.

Bungay Castle from the air

Portcullis slot at Mettingliam

A fort, or ringworks, was however a communal residence where many people, sometimes a whole community could gain protection in the event of an attack.

Burgh Castle and Walton were Roman forts, designed to act as barracks for the Roman garrison. They only gained their true status as a castle when the Norman motte-and-bailey castles were constructed within the existing Roman walls.

Added to this were the maisons fortes, the fortified manor houses such as Little Wenham. These were much smaller in layout and usually quite compact, with a cellar store room, a large hall and a solar above. Extra accommodation, storehouses and kitchen were provided in outhouses in the immediate vicinity.