A drawbridge was an important part of a castle’s defence against attack.
It was built to help protect the castle gatehouse or entrance. Usually the drawbridge spanned a ditch or moat that surrounded the castle. Drawbridges were first developed in medieval Europe.

 

Sometimes, the drawbridge was a simple wooden platform that was pulled
back against the gate as the enemy approached. Another form of lifting bridge was the bascule bridge. Bascule is a French word meaning ‘see-saw’. This bridge had chains attached to wooden beams that were heavier at the rear end. When the heavy ends of the beams were dropped, the front of the bridge was lifted up into the recesses in the castle wall.

 

A knight was expected to keep fit in order to be able to defend his lord or king. Many knights took part in tournaments where they would fight mock battles with each other on horseback in front of the royal court. Often a knight would be trying to impress one of the ladies of the court.

 

Jousting involved two knights in single combat. They would charge each other with levelled lances, or jousts, and try to knock the other knight off his horse. The knights would wear full armour and carry shields. If they broke their lances in the joust, then they would use their swords.