Key Difference – Castle vs Fort
A castle and a fort share some similarities, but there is a crucial difference between the two. A castle is a large medieval fortified building, while a fort is also a fortified building. The main distinction between a castle and a fort lies in the residence of nobility. Castles are specifically built for nobility, such as kings and lords, whereas forts are not. This article will discuss the differences between castles and forts in more detail.
What is a Castle?
A castle is a large medieval fortified building. Many countries worldwide built castles during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These castles were designed for nobility, such as kings and lords. European castles were first constructed in the 10th century when lords wanted to take control of the surrounding land. In this sense, the castle served as a robust structure that could defend itself and attack the enemy. For example, when launching raids, the castle structure was used by the military. The structural features, such as towers and arrow slits, were essential.
However, the military feature is not the only use of a castle other than its apparent grandeur. The castle was also a place of administration. It also stood as a symbol of ultimate power. The king or regional lords could control the people and make crucial decisions from the castle with assistance from a panel of advisers.
Some castles have a moat, a wide water-filled ditch around the castle that makes it difficult to attack. Some are geographically positioned on higher ground to gain an advantage over the enemy. In a castle, there is also a gatehouse, another defense tactic. Prague Castle, Windsor Castle, and Arundel Castle are examples of world-famous castles.
What is a Fort?
A fort is a fortified building mostly occupied by troops. These are explicitly military constructions, unlike castles, which are used for multiple purposes. When speaking of forts, history records many famous forts worldwide, such as Fort Baba Vida in Bulgaria, Agra Fort in India, and Heuneburg in Germany. Most of these forts were constructed with stone to withstand enemy attacks. However, some forts have become heavily damaged due to cannonball attacks. Similar to castles, forts also employed various strategies to gain an upper hand, such as building forts on higher grounds or surrounded by water.
Key Takeaways
- Castles are large medieval fortified buildings, while forts are also fortified buildings.
- Castles were specifically built for nobility, such as kings and lords, whereas forts were not.
- Castles were constructed for administrative and military purposes as well as for residence, while forts were built explicitly for military purposes.
