As
I am writing the last book ind the Curse of the Lost Isle medieval
series, ANGEL OF LUSIGNAN (Book 8) set in Aquitaine, I am thoroughly
enjoying the research, as much as the story and the characters.
Start
reading the series with the boxed set of the first four novels. Seven
are already published, and the last one will be out for the holidays.
From
history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies,
who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For
centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret,
stirring passions in their wake as they fight the Viking hordes, build
mighty castles, send the first knights to the Holy Land, give birth to
kings and emperors... but if the Church ever suspects what they really
are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake. 5 stars on
Amazon "Edgy Medieval. Yay!"
* * * * *
In
the Twelfth Century, castles sprouted all over Europe. In England the
first castles were mainly built in a hurry, out of wood, by the Norman
invader to secure conquered territory. They were motte and bailey
castles, with a keep, earth works, wooden fences and sharp stakes.
Later, the keep and walls were rebuilt in stone.
Meanwhile,
on the continent, like in Aquitaine, castles were already made of
stone. The Romans had built stone roads and forts centuries earlier,
leaving solid foundations in prime locations. Just out of the dark ages
after the barbarian invasions, the central power fractured into smaller
estates, the local lords rebuilt and expanded these stone forts for
protection. Not only they fortified their castles, but also their entire
cities.
Medieval building technique. Notice the crane.
The
new cities and castles were generally built on a promontory, a plateau
or a hill, surrounded by water, at an estuary, a confluent, or on a
cliff overlooking a river. A body of water protected the castle from
attacks by land, but rivers could also be highways for enemies invading
by boats. Occasional Viking and Norman raids were still common.
Fortified city and castle of Carcassonne - Southern Aquitaine
The
lack of a strong central power also encouraged greedy land owners and
bands of rogue knights to appropriate territory by force. Stone walls
offered the best protection.
Building
a castle was expensive and required a great amount of gold to pay the
many skilled workers needed for the monumental task. A lord would hire a
taskmaster, overseers, a master mason, architects, an army of masons
and stone cutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, lead beaters, barrel makers,
potters, candle makers, and other craftsmen. He also needed diggers and
general workmen, as well as water carriers.
Castle of Lusignan - Aquitaine - Original design
First,
the trees around the site would be felled and peeled, then sliced
lengthwise to provide lumber for the scaffolding, and the giant beams to
support the wooden ceiling of the upper floors. Meanwhile, the stone
had to be extracted from the surrounding rock, then cut and chiseled to
size. Often the stone was extracted from the excavation for the moat.
Secret passages and underground storage rooms and cellars would often be
dug from the rock before erecting the walls, with arched ceilings and
thick columns to support the edifice above.
Arrow slit in a castle wall
And
do not think castles were uncomfortable. Although the external defense
walls only had arrow slits, the buildings inside the enclosure had
windows to bring in the light. They also had amenities, like giant
fireplaces to provide heat during the winter, large kitchens with bread
ovens, to cook for hundreds of soldiers, and skilled chefs to prepare
meals and special feasts for the nobles. There was wine and cheese
aplenty in the cellars.
medieval toilet - or garderobe
The
castle even had toilets called garderobe, simple sitting holes at the
outer side of the wall, allowing automatic disposal of human waste
straight down into the moat or the river below, which conveniently
eliminated odors.
Castle of Tiffauge - Aquitaine - France
Also
important to the castle was a permanent source of fresh water, so if
there was no natural spring on the premises, digging a well would
constitute a first priority. In case of a siege, the castle must be
self-sufficient.
Mock up - castle of Lusignan - Aquitaine - France
A
great castle would include several courtyards, including one for weapon
practice. Also inside the walls would be stables for the horses, a barn
for the hay, barracks for the guards and soldiers, sheds and work
places for the artisans, blacksmiths, etc. The kitchens would have their
own buildings and storage rooms.
Castle of Lusignan - Aquitaine - France
Very
few of these early stone castles have survived a thousand years of
warfare, and those that did survive were updated and modified over the
centuries, but we have lithographs and drawings, as well as mock ups to
show us what the original construction looked like.
Vijaya Schartz
Swords, blasters, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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