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A portcullis is a grille or gate made of wood, metal or a combination of the two. Portcullises fortified the entrances to many medieval castles, acting as a last line of defence during time of attack or siege. Each portcullis was mounted in vertical grooves in castle walls and could be raised or lowered quickly by means of chains or ropes attached to an internal winch. There would often be two portcullises to the main entrance. The one closest to the inside would be closed first and then the one furthest away. This was used to trap the enemy and often, burning wood or hot oil would be poured onto them from the roof. Also, archers could shoot arrows at the trapped enemies. There were often arrow holes in the sides of the walls for archers and crossbowman to eliminate the besieging army. A portcullis is a gate that can be lowered and raised to prevent entrance through an archway or gateway.

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15y ago
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10y ago

Portcullis means the falling gates of the castles in the middle ages which were made out of wood, metal or both. Portcullis were located at the main gates which sometimes fall over the moat to let people riding on horses enter the castles.

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12y ago

A portcullis is an iron grating. It could be raised and lowered opening or blocking the way through the gateway of a castle.

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12y ago

A portcullis is an iron grid bar that covers the entrance to the castle

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11y ago

The portcullis was a gate made of wood and/or metal. A winch would be attached to the portcullis to raise it up or to lower it in case of an attack.

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15y ago

A security gate that can be closed very quickly.

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11y ago

a strong barrier

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Q: What is the meaning of the word portcullis?
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Related questions

What is the root word of portcullis?

The root word of "portcullis" is "porta," which means gate or entrance in Latin.


Can you give me a sentence for portcullis?

A portcullis is a heavy metal grate used as a gate. The guards raised the portcullis of the castle.


How many floors are in portcullis house?

Portcullis House (PCH) is an office building in Westminster, London, UK. Portcullis House is a seven story building. The building was designed by Michael Hopkins and Partners.


What is A sentence with portcullis?

When attackers attacked the castle, if a portcullis existed , it could come from above and kill them. I hope it helped :) ^^


What was the part of a castle?

Keep, portcullis?


What does the Portcullis coat of arms stand for?

protection


What was the strong entrance gate to a castle called?

The portcullis.


What name is given to the strong heavy grating?

Portcullis


Is there a portcullis at the Tower of London?

yes there is but i think that there were 2.


What were the booby traps in the pyramids?

they had portcullis and dead ends


What did the building used to be where Portcullis House currently is?

The Portcullis House was called the Palace of Westminster initially that comprised of committee rooms, refreshment facilities, and housing member office.


What are the advantages of a portcullis?

You can close the gate on the enemies when they come to attack the castle. And if they get under it when it's closing, they are crushed and due to the pointy gate, they die! Portcullis are very helpful.