Why is the defense of castle so important?

Answer 1

If you spent the equivalent of a year's taxes building the thing, you wouldn't hang the keys on the gatepost, would you now?

Answer 2

War in the middle ages is not like toadys. War's back then were not fought for territorial gain or regime change. But for dynastic claims. For example William the conqueree invaded England in 1066 because he had a strong claim (perhaps the strongest) to the English thrown. So he proved it in Battle. He would not have invaded England had this claim not existed.

The same is true of the 100 years war where the English kings were also dukes in france (since william and a number of marriages) and fought to maintain their calim to the areas of france they owned.

So in this case the castle is not of strategic value, but merely a good place to hide and avoid a battle which may see you killed. After all god must be on your side but he may wish to punish you, so why risk finding out which it is?

Also castles were rarely defended by more than a handful of people. Some having fewer than 10 defending them. But this is why castles were build in the first place. So that you could defend with very few people.

Answer 3

If I understand your question right you are referring to castle as in medieval castles.
There are several different types of castles, depending in which period they were built and location. In Scotland they got the tower shaped castles.
It was very important as a siege often could go on for a long time. The weakness of any stronghold is the gatehouse, which was often built as a keep. Some castles got a curtain wall surrounding the keep or main buildings. Round towers instead of rectangular once were invented as they are stronger and stands a better chance against bombardment.
Supply of fresh water by a well was another important feature. The castle also served as refuge for the people living near by it.

Answer 4

A castle is a huge store of food and war goods- like spare arrows, crossbow bolts, etc. Remember these are the times when food is not available in every corner store, and arrows take about a week to make.
The owner of a well supplied castle could afford to have a cavalry force all year round (those outside have no food for horses if the grass is covered with snow). These cavalry could be used to harass the enemy and prevent him from invading deeper into the country (In most cases the invader had to take all his spare weapons and most of his food with him- since the attacked country often used the tactic of "burned earth".
Moreover because of the fortifications, the castle can be defended with very few men (sometimes as few as 40) and held for several years if needed. One of the castles in the Kingfom of Jerusalem stood a siege of 4 years

Answer 5

Depending on the age and purpose for which the castle was originally built, it was important to defend because,

1. Castles could be places of protection from an invading enemy, a place of retreat. The castle area could contain people, animals and provisions.

2. Castles could be offensive weapons, built in otherwise hostile territories from which to control surrounding lands, as forward camps. In particular, during the High Middle Ages, castles were often built for territorial expansion and regional control. A castle was a stronghold from which a lord could control surrounding territory. Again these would contain troops, weaponry and resources such as horses and food.

3. Castles evolved into residences for the monarch (king or queen) or the lord who built them. This can best be seen in castles such as Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, whose defensive appearance was probably built merely to impress; inside the castle is geared towards family living. These were not so important to defend.

Answer 6

what is so important about a castle?
ask yourself this question what is important in or on the castle?
sometimes there is usually a city inside the castle the city itself is run by civilians nothing more than shop owners stablemen jesters and bards
then there is man or woman in charge of its safety running and defence of this castle if someone was to succesfully assasinate him and yes in those days spies were operating then and well before.
the position of the castle is also a factor if the castle was the capital city and you was at war and you was losing then you would need everything to defend it as archers swordsmen knights cavelry catapults cannons without any defense you've lost

Answer 7

A castle was like a villiage community - totally self-sufficient. as well, the castle overlooked a villiage or town so was responsible for the inhabitants and the land.

Answer 8

Castles were a place of power and safety for the local community. If you think that it was a time when most people were in serfdom ( almost slavery) in which the serf(peasant) pledged allegiance to their lord and worked for him in return he was supposed to offer protection.

Answer 9

Because he who held the castle held the surronding area , and because they could ride out anytime to attack the enemy kill them then return to there stonghold and the enermy could not retaliate and were weakend by every battle

Answer 10

people had a fear of water and the moat surrounding the castle would make them "rabid like" even just at the thought of going in,uncleanliness was best!