Refuge castle

A refuge castle

giants

.

History

Elm

, part of the Reitlingsbefestigungen fortifications

In Europe a multitude of large

Slavic tribes, the latter until well into the Middle Ages period. Such systems are also known as hillforts

(Wallburgen), the primary construction material being earth, but wood and stone were also used in a variety of construction methods.

As a rule they have no towers, but occasionally superstructures resembling gate towers occur (see Bennigsen Castle). Refuge castles of this type belonged to unprotected farming communities and offered protection to the population of the local region in case of a hostile attack, whilst the settlements themselves usually fell victim to plundering and destruction by the aggressors. The large size of refuge castles enabled them to provide stores and supplies in the event of a siege.

Later on during the Middle Ages this type of castle was also built by local farmers. These "farmers' castles" provided protection for country folk from marauding bands of troops. Their fortifications generally had little in common with the castles erected by the nobility as residences, but often consisted just of earthworks and wooden palisades sited in easily defensible locations on hilltops or spurs.

Because the majority of refuge castles were not permanent settlements, archaeological excavations often produce little by way of finds.

In the Middle Ages fortified churches (Wehrkirchen) and fortress churches (Kirchenburgen) also acted as refuge castles. They were primarily utilised as the village churches, but their fortifications also made them suitable for use as temporary places of refuge for the villages. The wall of the churchyard, which was actually designed to protect the cemetery, was upgraded in church castles into a defensible defensive wall (Wehrmauer) and even the church tower could be given a defensive function.