Worksheet by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 1
THE CASTLE BUILDER: KEY WORDS WORKSHEET
Using the Castle Builder activity at www.activehistory.co.uk, complete this
worksheet by clicking on the key words on the screen as you build your castle!
Key Word
Details
Moat
The first line of defense
Drawbridge
Connects one side of the moat to the castle, can be drawn up and used
as a door
Portcullis
A portcullis is a large wooden gate that was lowered through slots in
the gatehouse to defend the entrance to the castle
Barbican
A stone outbuilding that encases the gatehouse to provide it with extra
protection.
'Curtain' wall
The outside wall of a castle
Concentric walls
Two or more walls
Merlons and embrasures
The areas where archers would be
Round towers
Harder to build but harder to destroy
Square towers
Easier to build but also easier to destroy
Motte
Mound
Bailey
Courtyard
Machicolations
Make it so soldiers could drop stones and oil on the enemy
Hoardings
Shoot arrows, drop stones or oil on enemies but is easily set on fire
Crossbowmen
A heavier arrow but stronger release
Longbowmen
Easier to fire and goes longer then a crossbow
Mangonels
A catapult
Trebuchets
A slingshot catapult
Oil
Boiling hot oil
Stones
Rocks
Worksheet by RJ Tarr at www.activehistory.co.uk / 2