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CASTLES & WARFARE
CHAPTER
2 CASTLES & WARFARE 4 Warfare was common in Medieval
Europe, and many wars dragged on
airy tales and fantasy stories have given us for generations. The Hundred Years
romantic notions of magical palaces with War between England and
glittering towers and spires. In reality, medieval France actually lasted 116
years—from 1337 to 1453!
castles were military fortresses built primarily for
defense against hostile invaders. Constant warfare 5 Much of what we know about
was a reality of life in the Middle Ages, so medieval warfare comes from
works of art from the period.
a castle needed to be large enough to
The Bayeux Tapestry, which is on display
protect all of the villagers under in Bayeux, France, tells the story of the
its control, and strong enough Battle of Hastings in England in 1066.
to hold out against long, 6 Sometimes flaming arrows were shot at a castle
sustained attacks. to try to set a fire. In one such siege, in 1136,
there was no water and the fire had to be put
out with wine!
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