View to Cow Castle
Dating from the Iron Age (500 BC to 43 AD) Norman and Medieval
periods there are the remains of several Defensive Earthworks and Hill
Forts.
Cow Castle (Grid Ref: SS794374)
At the junction of White Water and the River
Barle there is an Iron Age fort at the top of a conical hill. Although
many think that Cow Castle was a military fortification others consider
it was more of a refuge. Known as Ring Castle, legend has it that it
was built by the good Pixies who were at war with the evil Mine Spirits.
Stories have it that the Castle was built by the Pixie Queen and that
each stone and piece of turf was instilled with the memory of a good
deed. The result was such a good atmosphere that evil spirits were
scared away.
Holwell Castle (Grid Ref: SS669446)
This was built by either Martin de Tours the first Lord
of Parracombe, William de Falaise (who married Martin's widow) or Robert
FitzMartin to guard the junction of the east-west and north-south trade
routes. It is a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle. The Motte and Ramparts
were built of earth with timber pallisades for defence. There was a small
wooden dwelling.
Road Castle (Grid Ref: SS863376)
Staddon Hill Camp (Grid Ref: SS882377)
Shoulsbarrow Castle (Grid Ref: SS706391)
Bury Castle (Grid Ref: SS938270) near
Dulverton
Bampton Castle (Grid Ref: SS959225)
CASTLES
The early castles were comparatively simple in their layout. They consisted of a massive stone tower, or Keep, built upon elevated ground, surrounded, or fronted, by a walled courtyard, known as a Bailey, with a fortified Gatehouse. The whole was surrounded by a moat, or deep ditch, tilled with water.
Soldiers usually occupied the first floor of the Keep as a Guardroom ; below was a stone - vaulted basement. On the second floor was the Baronial Hall and above that were chambers used as dormitories and for other domestic purposes.
From this simple fortification there developed more elaborate and complex structures, varying greatly in design and plan. The thirteenth and fourteenth centuries saw great advances in military architecture. It was during this period that Edward I, after his campaign in Wales, built a series of castles which are some of the finest in the country.
Additional ground was enclosed to form the Outer Bailey. Strong stone towers, Bastions, were built at the angles of the walls and rooms for retainers and stores were constructed within the encircling walls. The gatehouse was further protected by a Barbican, an outer building often with flanking towers between which a Portcullis, a massive iron grille, could be lowered to prevent unauthorised entry, which was also guarded against by a Drawbridge across the Moat.
The Principal Parts of a Castle
THE PARTS OF A CASTLE
Bailey or Ward. The ground enclosed by a protecting wall. Barbican. The outer defence, frequently a twin-towered gateway on
the castle side of the moat. Bastion. A specially strengthened projection, or tower, at an angle of
the castle wall.
Battlement. An indented wall around a tower or wall. The raised parts are known as Cops, or Merlons, and the spaces between are Embrasures or Crenelles.
Crenellated. Provided with battlements, or loopholes, through which
missiles could be discharged. Curtain Wall. The defensive wall between two towers.
Drawbridge. The bridge spanning the moat. Hinged at one end and
free at the other, it could be drawn up when required to prevent entry.
Embrasure. The open space in the battlement, widened to allow ample
room for an archer.
Enceinte. The outer encircling wall. Garderobe. A latrine. Keep. The single tower of a castle.
Machincolatlon. A projecting parapet on the castle wall with gaps between the supporting brackets through which stones or boiling liquids could be dropped upon invaders.
Moat. A wide, deep ditch surrounding the castle, usually filled with water.
Postern Gate. A small gate in the castle wall.
Portcullis. A heavy grating of ironbound wood with spikes along the bottom and made to slide up and down between the side towers of an entrance gate.
Ward. An alternative term for a bailey.
Ward. An alternative term for bailey |
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