What is the difference between battlements and crenellations?

A battlement is a low, defensive parapet. The act of crenellation is the cutting of crenels into a previously solid and straight parapet wall. Crenels are rectangular gaps or indentations which occur at regular intervals along the parapet, usually measuring 2-3 ft wide.

What does the word crenellations mean?

Definition of crenellation 1 : battlement. 2 : any of the embrasures alternating with merlons in a battlement — see battlement illustration.

What was a battlements used for?

The act of adding crenels to a previously unbroken parapet is termed crenellation. The function of battlements in war is to protect the defenders by giving them something to hide behind, from which they can pop out to launch their own missiles.

Why do castles have crenellations?

Crenellations are one of the most recognizable elements of a medieval castle. These upright projections resemble teeth, bared at invaders to prevent their attempted entries and at allies to show the owner’s strength. Each upright section is called a merlon or crenel, and they protected defenders from attacks.

Why is a drawbridge important?

There are two main purposes of a drawbridge. Just like all bridges, drawbridges allow cars and people to cross over large bodies of water. The other purpose is what makes a drawbridge unique: when it moves, river traffic is not blocked and therefore can flow easily.

What is the difference between a parapet and rampart?

In other words: A castle wall is a rampart. A lesser defending wall, such as a fence, is a parapet. A protective stone parapet on top of a rampart with crossbow grooves and openings is a battlement.

What are crenellated ramparts?

crenellation – a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns. battlement, crenelation. crenel, crenelle – a notch or open space between two merlons in a crenelated battlement. fortress, fort – a fortified defensive structure.

What did drawbridges do?

A drawbridge is a structure across a body of water with moveable parts that can be lifted, rotated, or swung to allow traffic to pass through the waterway on which it sits.

What is the meaning of crenellations?

Noun 1. crenellation – a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns battlement, crenelation crenel, crenelle – a… Crenellation – definition of crenellation by The Free Dictionary

What is a crenellated castle?

crenellation – a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns battlement, crenelation crenelation

What are granite crenellations?

‘These are strictly known as crenellations and gave defenders something solid to hide behind when they were not firing out from the gaps in between the stone battlements.’ ‘He nods ominously towards the granite crenellations.’