When you think of a king, you might think of a castle. Do kings and queens really live in castles? Yes! In the U.K., the royal family has many homes, including palaces and castles. The first castles were built in Europe more than 1,000 years ago. These early castles weren’t made to be fancy. They were built to protect the people who lived there. 

In medieval times, which lasted from about 500 to 1500, kings and lords (people from wealthy families who owned land) built castles. For hundreds of years, Europe was a place where people often fought over control of land. That meant that lands were often invaded. Over time, castles got bigger, stronger, and easier to defend. Here are some common castle features.

The Moat

Many castles were surrounded by a ditch called a moat. Sometimes the ditch had water in it. When the bridge was up, the moat was hard to cross.

The Wall

A stone wall called the curtain wall surrounded the castle. This wall was very thick and high enough that it could not be climbed with a ladder.

The Keep

The keep was the highest tower in the castle and was usually the strongest part of the whole property. When enemies attacked, people often went to the top of the keep for protection.

The Towers

Many castles had towers at their corners. From the high windows of these towers, guards could see enemies approaching and prepare for battle.

Spiral Staircases

Many castles had narrow spiral staircases. If you have ever seen a spiral staircase, you know they take longer to climb than regular stairs. If the enemy got into the castle, these staircases would have slowed them down.