Early History

• Derived from Latin, a castellan or castle was a walled camp. Throughout Europe, conflicts between small countries were common, making protection of families and property vital. Early castles consisted of reinforced wood shelters to protect their owners. However, wood proved expensive and weak, so by the 10th century, wealthy landowners used granite and other available stones for their construction.
  
  

England & France

• A moat and bailey castle created by 9th century warriors from northern Europe, called Normans, replaced forts. A castle on top of a mound gave a higher view to spot attackers. The bailey, a courtyard with stables and storerooms, protected the castle. Surrounded by a moat or ditch, dry or filled with water, a bridge allowed entrance, but only when it was lowered. The asymmetrical shape resembled a figure eight with the bailey in the larger, bottom part and the castle in the smaller, top portion. These strong, sturdy but simple castles dotted the English and French landscapes.
  
  

Spain

• Islamic rule of Spain from 711 to 1492 A.D. influenced its castle design. The Moorish or Arabic style of using colorful stones and hand-painted tiles was reflected in the design of Spain's castles for centuries. Many Spanish castles resembled mosques with arched doorways and ceramic, shingled roofs. Their symmetrical form included round towers, which required less masonry, with circular staircases. A castle's L-shaped entrance made attacks more difficult often confusing invaders.
  
  

Germany

• Part fortress, part fairy-tale, German castles reflected the diversity of its landscape and tastes. Northern Germany favored a refined Norman style with a circular castle design, often surrounded by a small lake. Castles in southern Germany replaced symmetry with tall spires and towers that gave it a fairy-tale look. A major difference from castles elsewhere was in the interior design of German castles, where ornate rooms decorated with brightly painted walls and carved ceilings replaced the plain, practical appearance of castle styles in other countries.
  
  

Italy

• Italian castles blended Norman, Islamic, Greek and Asian influences, providing a link between the East and West. Castles often protected entire towns, providing military strongholds against coastal attacks. Many wealthy families built castles to separate feuding relatives. A typical castle consisted of a central tower on a pyramid-shaped base to provide extra height, with towers, square or round, on each corner. Castle walls measured up to 20 feet thick, with a water-filled ditch, 10 to 12 feet deep, in front.