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Builders of castles and other defensive works knew that gateways were the most vulnerable parts of any defensive scheme. Various methods were developed to strengthen these gateways, finally adding barbicans or "outworks" as a first line of defence.
A barbican was a fortified outer gateway with its own towers, drawbridge and portcullis, outside the main defenses and usually separated from them by a wide moat. The barbican protected the approaches to the gateway and acted as a very strong blockhouse with its own small garrison.
Some of the earliest barbicans in stone castles were at Sherborne Old Castle in Dorset (1132 - 1137) and at Dover Castle in Kent (1170) - Dover's barbican no longer exists. Earlier motte-and-bailey castles of earth and timber almost certainly had similar outworks like these, but they leave little archaeological evidence in the ground.
The link takes you to a plan of Oxford castle as it was in around 1250; the wide moat is connected to the river Isis and the barbican (H) sits on an island in the moat:
The second link takes you to an image of the surviving barbican at Lewes Castle:
What else can I help you with?
What were dinosaurs like in medieval times?
There were no dinosaurs in medieval times.
What castles did they have in Medieval Times?
Medieval castles.
What was the role of queens in the medieval times?
medieval times queens position at middle ages.
What was the first song in Medieval Times?
There is no way of knowing what the "first" song was in Medieval Times.
What were the soldiers called in medieval times?
In medieval times, soldiers were commonly referred to as knights.
What is a barbican portucullis?
A barbican portcullis is a defensive feature commonly found in medieval fortifications, particularly at the entrance of castles or fortified towns. The barbican is an outer defense structure that acts as a gateway, while the portcullis is a heavy grilled gate that can be lowered to block access. Together, they enhance security by allowing defenders to control entry and deter attackers. The combination of these elements was crucial in medieval military architecture.
When was Barbican Centre created?
Barbican Centre was created in 1982.
When did Barbican railway station end?
Barbican railway station ended in 2009.
When was Barbican tube station created?
Barbican tube station was created in 1865.
Can any artist have their art work submitted into the Barbican?
If a person has artwork that they wish to submit to the Barbican they must first apply and send a proposal to the Barbican company. If a person wishes to obtain more information on how to submit artwork to the Barbican they can call the company's phone number or download the information from the Barbican website.
What was barbican?
cinema
What is a bailey and a barbican?
A bailey is an enclosed courtyard typically found in medieval castles, often surrounded by defensive walls and used for various activities, including housing troops and livestock. A barbican, on the other hand, is a fortified outpost or gateway situated before the main entrance of a castle or city, designed to provide an additional layer of defense against attackers. Together, these structures played crucial roles in the fortification and security of medieval strongholds.
What were dinosaurs like in medieval times?
There were no dinosaurs in medieval times.
Which underground line is barbican station on?
Barbican station is on three underground lines. Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City.
What id another term used to describe the middles ages?
Medieval PeriodDark Age?Medieval times or the medieval era.
Who were some Famous knights of Medieval Times?
A medieval knight in the middle ages or medieval times was William the conquerer
When did they build medieval castles?
Medieval times
