Storm the Castle! Trivia Quiz

Answer: A stone tower in the centre

The keep was a large tower within the castle. If the castle came under siege, residents would retreat in there for safety as a last resort. Before stone keep castles, there were motte and bailey castles. They were easier and quicker to build because they were made of wood, but they were particularly vulnerable to fire. Stone castles replaced wooden ones from the 11th century.

They were stronger and safer, and it was harder for invading armies to get in.

Answer: Threw projectiles at a castle wall

A mangonel was a catapult that was used to throw projectiles at castle walls. Some had a range of over 300 metres and could launch rocks and fire pots, or anything else that was available. Sometimes, dead bodies were hurled into castles, helping to spread disease among the residents trapped inside.

Answer: Yes

Attacking archers could shoot arrows at the castle's defensive soldiers, or they could shoot flaming arrows to set fire to any wooden buildings inside the stone walls. In response, defending archers could use bows and crossbows to fight back. Keeps and battlements normally had arrow slits in them.

They were narrow holes in the wall that an archer could shoot through. They were often designed so that the archer had a wide field of view, but was protected from enemy attacks.

Answer: Ballista

Ballistas, similar to mangonels, were used to throw objects at (or over) castle walls. The ballista was different, however, because it was more commonly used to throw javelins rather than huge rocks. Its design was similar to a bow and arrow: twisted cords were pulled back and released in order to propel the projectiles.

Answer: Portcullis

The portcullis was brought down as soon as a castle came under attack. It was a large latticed gate - made of wood, metal, or both - that could be released using a rope or chain. Sometimes, castles had two portcullises. Enemies could be trapped between them, and soldiers could drop stones, hot sand, boiling water, or (more rarely) boiling oil on them from a murder hole above.

Answer: Battering ram

The battering ram is a weapon that has been used since ancient times. Over the centuries, they have had various looks. Some were just huge tree trunks that were swung by soldiers. More advanced medieval battering rams had wheels and wooden roofs for protection. Rams were particularly effective against wooden doors, but they could also bring down a stone wall if they were used on a corner.

Answer: A hole in a castle wall

A machicolation was a hole in the exterior castle wall that harmful objects and liquids could be dropped or poured through on to besiegers. Like the murder hole above the main gate, soldiers could drop rocks or hot liquids through the machicolation. The design originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe. Though they were not as common in England and Wales, some surviving medieval castles do have them.

Answer: Javelin

A javelin was a lightweight spear that was designed to be thrown by hand. They were similar to pikes, but pikes were designed for thrusting rather than throwing. The javelin's downfall was that it was ineffective against heavy armour. They were eventually replaced by crossbows, which could be used over the same distance.

Answer: Kite

Kite shields were long and narrow. They were pointed at the bottom, curved at the top, and protected most of a soldier's body. They were made of wood and iron, often with elements of animal hide or hardened leather. Kite shields were featured on the Bayeux Tapestry, and, as a result, are often associated with Norman soldiers.

Answer: War hammer

War hammers were exactly that: hammers designed specifically for fighting. As armour improved, swords and battleaxes were less effective. A hammer, however, could still deal a lot of damage. Even if an enemy wore a helmet, a blow to the head could cause a severe concussion.

And that's it - the castle is ours! Brilliant work, soldiers!