What are the disadvantages of a concentric castle?

What are the disadvantages of a concentric castle?

While considered strong, concentric castles did have two major weaknesses: They were incredibly expensive to build and they made it hard for troops to engage from a safe position.

What was a weakness of the castle?

Although the wooden structure was much more vulnerable to damage than a stone structure, a motte and bailey castle could be built quickly until the Normans had the time to build more permanent stone structures. The major weakness of the motte and bailey castle was the likelihood of the keep rotting or burning down.

Why did castles become less effective?

After the 16th century, castles declined as a mode of defense, mostly because of the invention and improvement of heavy cannons and mortars. This artillery could throw heavy cannonballs with so much force that even strong curtain walls could not hold up.

What Defences did castles have?

How to defend a castle

• Building up high. Building a castle up high made it difficult for enemies to get to the castle.
• Tall towers. Strong towers were added to curtain walls to watch out for enemies.
• Battlements. Battlements were walls on the roof of a castle.
• Arrow slits.
• Moat.
• Drawbridge.
• Portcullis.
• Dungeons.

What was the weakest part of a castle?

The entrance to the castle was always its weakest point. Drawbridges could be pulled up, preventing access across moats. Tall gate towers meant that defenders could shoot down in safety at attacks below. The main gate or door to the castle was usually a thick, iron-studded wooden door, that was hard to break through.

What were some of the drawbacks of using a castle for defense?

What were some of the drawbacks of using a castle for defense? People would not be able to leave the grounds, they could run out of food/water, many people living together at one time. Peasants would come onto the castle grounds for protection from war.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of square keep castles?

Square keep castles were made of stone to last longer – stone was guaranteed not to rot so these castles were much stronger than wooden motte and bailey ones. Because of the strength of stone it can be built up to provide an advantage in height and giving a good view for miles.

What were the disadvantages of motte and bailey castles?

At a glance: disadvantages of Motte and Bailey castles

• Timber burns easily -and attackers quickly learned that firing flaming arrows could defeat the castle.
• Timber rots, to0 – castles quickly ran into disrepair, and often became abandoned by their owners.
• Mottes often had a broad base.

How were castles destroyed?

Fire might be used, especially against timber structures; digging underneath stone structures (known as mining) could cause them to collapse; dismantling a structure by hand was sometimes done, but was time- and labour-intensive, as was filling ditches and digging away earthworks; and in later periods gunpowder was …

Why did castles have moats?

The purpose of a moat was primarily to protect the castle from attack. As a defense mechanism, moats were very effective. Although they’re usually depicted as wide, deep bodies of water, moats were often simply dry ditches. Castles, on the other hand, offered safety in the form of strong walls and fortifications.

Why was Ogmore Castle built on a river crossing?

Overlooking a picturesque river crossing still marked by a series of ancient stepping stones, Ogmore (along with Coity and Newcastle) is part of a trio of fortresses built to guard Glamorgan against attacks from the Welsh-held west.

When did William de Londres build Ogmore Castle?

William de Londres received the lands around Ogmore from Robert Fitzhamon and built a timber and earth defensive circuit (ringwork) at the beginning of the 12th century, guarding the ford on the River Ogmore.

When was the oblong keep at Ogmore built?

The windows were round-headed with Sutton stone ashlar. The first-floor great hall had an ornate fireplace. William’s son Maurice is credited with building the oblong keep; it is perhaps the oldest Norman keep in Glamorgan. Situated north of the main gateway, the keep was the first masonry building and was probably built in the 1120s.

Where can I see the sea from Ogmore Castle?

Looking towards the sea from the castle ruins, the view includes sandhills that proceed up the coast nearly as far as the town of Briton Ferry. Opposite from Ogmore Castle is Merthyr Mawr, where there are two sculptured crosses; the village can be reached by a footpath from the castle.