Page 63 - Scotland's Unsung Castles

The Castle

A Index

Bastide: (French) A new town usually established by the king.
Apse: A large domed or semi-circular recess at the east end of a
Bastion: A semi-circular tower like structure sticking out from
church, usually containing the alter.
the main defensive wall. From a Bastion defending troops have
Arcade - Row of decorative free-standing arches supported on easy access to anyone trying to scale the main wall.
piers or columns. A blind arcade or "dummy" is built against a wall Batter - A sloping wall. On buildings, starting broad at the base
for decoration.
and tapering inwards as the building grows taller. Batter can also
Arch – An arch is used to bridge an opening. It has several de- refer to Moats sides which start deep and narrow at the base
signs; semi-circular, tall and thin (known as a Lancet) or Segmental, slopping outwards as it rises.
a low curving design. Once complete an arch can withstand a tre-
Battering Ram – Usually a large tree trunk capped with a
mendous amount of weight.
metal tip. Used to crash through castle gates and walls
Architrave The framing around a doorway or window space
Battlements: The fortified top of a defensive wall.
Arrow slit: A purpose build slit in the wall through which an
Bay: A unit of space or a compartmentalised building. For in-
archer shoots through from the inside (also known as Arrow stance, ‘the stables has six horse bays’
Loop)
Bay window. A window built to sticks out from the wall,
Ashlar masonry: Blocks of stone finely cut and finished and creating a Bay inside the building.
used to build smooth walls.
Belfry: In medieval times a movable wooden tower used for
Astragal Bars (Separators) between the glass panes in a window defence or attack. Today it’s a bell tower.
Attic All the space within a gabled roof Belvedere. A raised part of a building, usually in the form of
Aumbry - A cupboard or recess in the wall, originally used for a turret like structure protruding from the top of the building. In
storing church and mass paraphernalia but latter used for storing medieval times used as a watchtower. Today used to enjoy the
domestic goods view.

B Bracket. Another term for a Corbel. (see Corbel)
Bergfried. A tall defensive tower common in Germany
Bailey: The outer defensive wall surrounding the courtyard of a
Castle or Keep. Berm - A narrow ledge at the top of a slope typically the aria
between the wall and the top of a ditch or moat. Can also be use
Ballista: A stone-throwing machine, used to catapult or sling
to describe the area at the foot of a slop.
shot large projectiles.
Blockhouse. A small fortified tower like structure. Usually
Baluster - One of a number of closely spaced supports for a rail-
square, with loopholes on all sides for defence. Found mostly in
ing or used to describe a small column.
continental Europe.
Balustrade - A hand or safety railing, along a path or on a stair- Bombard. An early type of cannon and used to fire round
way.
stones.
Barbican: A fortified watchtower projecting over the gateway of
Boss. A boss is a wooden or stone decorative knob or protru-
a castle.
sion. They're often found in the ceilings of buildings. They are
Bar hole – Specially cut holes inside used for the insertion of a usually displayed as round decorative keystones at the intersec-
timber bar which acts as a door-bolt preventing anyone from enter- tions of a rib vault.
ing.
Brattice. A small balcony with machicolations, usually found
Barmkyn (barmkin): (Scot) The walled courtyard of a tower over gateways and on walls. The openings are used for pouring
house. hot material through, or dropping stones on an intruder.
Barrel vault: A decretive ceiling, or roofing, consisting of Breastwork. Any temporary defensive structure that pro-
many semi cylindrical arches. tects the defenders up to the height of their chest. This could be
earthworks, a stone wall. Permanent Breastworks is usually
Bartizan – A small Turret, with various designs, projecting out
or up from the main wall or building, attributed to a parapet or the wall battlements.
Bressumer. A heavy wooden, load barring, beam. Usually
Base Moulded section of a column
found as the main support for a roof.
Basement. A room or lower story of a building usually beneath
Broch - Iron Age Scottish stone tower with hollow double-
the ground.
skinned walls

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