Machicolation - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 05:44, 13 August 2022

2022-08-13T05:44:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:44, 13 August 2022
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	Machicolations were best located above critical points, such as gateways and entrances but could also form a continuous line extending around a castle. They were common in French castles but in their UK counterparts were usually restricted to the areas above gateways, eg Conwy Castle, Wales, built 1283-1289.		Machicolations were best located above critical points, such as gateways and entrances but could also form a continuous line extending around a castle. They were common in French castles but in their UK counterparts were usually restricted to the areas above gateways, eg Conwy Castle, Wales, built 1283-1289.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Archaeology.		* Archaeology.
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	* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.		* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

−	[[Category:~~Conservation~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Definition~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Guidance~~]] [[Category:~~Education~~]] [[Category:~~History~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Conservation]]

Designing Buildings at 07:02, 2 February 2021

2021-02-02T07:02:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:02, 2 February 2021
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	* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.		* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:~~Education~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Education_and_Training~~]] [[Category:History]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings at 15:34, 12 March 2019

2019-03-12T15:34:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 12 March 2019
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	In medieval fortifications, machicolations (derivation French: machicoulis) are openings in the upper sections of castles or other fortifications through which missiles, boiling oil and other objects could be thrown down onto attackers. The openings could be in either the vertical plane or in the floor.		In medieval fortifications, machicolations (derivation French: machicoulis) are openings in the upper sections of castles or other fortifications through which missiles, boiling oil and other objects could be thrown down onto attackers. The openings could be in either the vertical plane or in the floor.

−	~~Machicolations were used originally in the Medieval period but since then have been mostly restricted to decorative purposes.~~ In Italy they are known as ‘piombatoio’ ~~and~~ in France ‘meurtriers’.	+	In Italy they are known as ‘piombatoio’, in France ‘meurtriers’, and in England ‘murder holes’ and ‘drop boxes'.

−	~~Machicolations – also known as ‘murder holes’ and ‘drop boxes’ in English –~~ originated in Syria but the idea was transplanted in Europe by returning Crusaders. One of the earliest examples dates from the 13th century and can still be seen at Chateau de Farcheville, near Paris.	+	They originated in Syria but the idea was transplanted to Europe by returning Crusaders. One of the earliest examples dates from the 13th century and can still be seen at Chateau de Farcheville, near Paris. Since the Medieval period they have been mostly restricted to decorative purposes.

	The openings, usually as narrow as possible to minimise the chances of arrows hitting defenders, usually occur where a parapet extends outwards on corbels so as to project from the face of the wall; this gave the defenders a better top view of assailants and allowed more accuracy in dropping rocks and boiling liquids down onto their heads. Either to deceive the enemy or for aesthetics – or both – a parapet might have been extended outwards on corbels even if there were no machicolations behind.		The openings, usually as narrow as possible to minimise the chances of arrows hitting defenders, usually occur where a parapet extends outwards on corbels so as to project from the face of the wall; this gave the defenders a better top view of assailants and allowed more accuracy in dropping rocks and boiling liquids down onto their heads. Either to deceive the enemy or for aesthetics – or both – a parapet might have been extended outwards on corbels even if there were no machicolations behind.

−	Machicolations ~~would be~~ best located above critical points, such as gateways and entrances but could also form a continuous line extending around a castle. They were common in French castles but in their UK counterparts were usually restricted to the areas above gateways, eg Conwy Castle, Wales, built 1283-1289.	+	Machicolations were best located above critical points, such as gateways and entrances but could also form a continuous line extending around a castle. They were common in French castles but in their UK counterparts were usually restricted to the areas above gateways, eg Conwy Castle, Wales, built 1283-1289.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.		* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

−	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]]	+	[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:DCN_Education_and_Training]] [[Category:History]]

Editor: Created page with "In medieval fortifications, machicolations (derivation French: machicoulis) are openings in the upper sections of castles or other fortifications through which missiles, boiling ..."

2019-03-11T18:06:17Z

Created page with "In medieval fortifications, machicolations (derivation French: machicoulis) are openings in the upper sections of castles or other fortifications through which missiles, boiling ..."

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In medieval fortifications, machicolations (derivation French: machicoulis) are openings in the upper sections of castles or other fortifications through which missiles, boiling oil and other objects could be thrown down onto attackers. The openings could be in either the vertical plane or in the floor.

Machicolations were used originally in the Medieval period but since then have been mostly restricted to decorative purposes. In Italy they are known as ‘piombatoio’ and in France ‘meurtriers’.

Machicolations – also known as ‘murder holes’ and ‘drop boxes’ in English – originated in Syria but the idea was transplanted in Europe by returning Crusaders. One of the earliest examples dates from the 13th century and can still be seen at Chateau de Farcheville, near Paris.

The openings, usually as narrow as possible to minimise the chances of arrows hitting defenders, usually occur where a parapet extends outwards on corbels so as to project from the face of the wall; this gave the defenders a better top view of assailants and allowed more accuracy in dropping rocks and boiling liquids down onto their heads. Either to deceive the enemy or for aesthetics – or both – a parapet might have been extended outwards on corbels even if there were no machicolations behind.

Machicolations would be best located above critical points, such as gateways and entrances but could also form a continuous line extending around a castle. They were common in French castles but in their UK counterparts were usually restricted to the areas above gateways, eg Conwy Castle, Wales, built 1283-1289.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Archaeology.
* Britain's historic paving.
* British Museum.
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* Conservation.
* IHBC articles.
* Palace of Westminster.
* St Pauls Cathedral.
* St. Basil's Cathedral.
* The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:History]]