- Moats: A moat is a deep, wide ditch filled with water that surrounds the castle. This made it difficult for attackers to reach the castle walls and also slowed down their progress if they did manage to get across.
-Drawbridges: A drawbridge is a bridge that can be raised and lowered to control access to the castle. Drawbridges were often protected by towers or portcullises.
-Portcullises: A portcullis is a heavy, iron-clad gate that can be lowered to block the entrance to the castle.
-Arrow slits: Arrow slits are small, narrow openings in the castle walls that allowed defenders to shoot arrows at attackers.
-Battlements: Battlements are the crenellated parapets of a castle wall, providing defenders with a protected position from which to fire arrows or drop objects on attackers.
-Towers: Towers provided defenders with a commanding view of the surrounding area and were often used to store weapons and supplies.
-Keeps: The keep is the strongest part of the castle and was usually the last line of defence. It was typically a multi-story tower with thick walls and few windows.
