When was the first castle built? ?

Question

i have an assignment on middle age and I'm doing castles. IT is on all types of castle not just one particular one.I also need to know what web site or book you got it from.

Answer 1

"A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. The term has a history of scholarly debate surrounding its exact meaning, but it is usually regarded as being distinct from the general terms fort or fortress in that it describes a building which serves as a residence of a monarch or noble and commands a specific defensive territory."

wikipedia.

If that's the definition of a castle, i see no reason why the Celtic hill forts of the La Téne culture wouldn't qualify. Often, oppida arose around these forts (making them residential). After 600 BC, the celtic culture became more stratified. Unlike the roman army officer in roman forts, the commander of these hill forts would be a tribal leader or nobleman that ruled "a specific defensive territory".

So I would argue that you might want to start looking in southern france around the 6th century BC ;).

P.S.: just thought about something: Mycenea in Greece, around 1400 BC might also qualify. Look up the "lions gate"

Answer 2

All of the books listed below are excellent sources for your assignment.

The English Castle, by Francois Matarasso

Castles of Britain, by Christina Gascoigne

What Life Was Like In The Age of Chivalry, Medieval Europe AD 800-1500, by Time Life Books

Castles Vol. I & II, by George Oman

Castle Doue-La-Fontaine was built circa AD 950, in Maine-et-Loire, France, and is believed to be the first castle built in Europe.

Answer 3

The first castle was Doué-la-Fontaine built in 900 AD.

Fortified structures have been built since pre-history, and the Celts had Oppida, fortified hills, and the Romans had Castra, a sort of fort. But the first true medieval castle with a keep was the one at Doue-la-Fontaine.

It was a motte castle, which is the earliest type. In other words, dirt was piled up against the walls, making an artificial hill with the keep on top. This protected it from siege weapons, as the earth was steep so soldiers defending the keep cold shoot arrows down on attackers, and the earth would pillow an blows from siege weapons.

Later, baileys were also used. A bailey is a closed courtyard around the keep. Thus many early castles are known as motte-and-bailey castles.