Editing Medieval architecture (section)

===Military architecture===
[[File:Zolyomcivertanlegi1.jpg|thumb|[[Zvolen Castle]] in [[Slovakia]] strongly inspired by Italian castles of the fourteenth century]]
{{Further|Medieval fortification|Castle}}
[[File:Motte & Bailey.svg|thumb|A diagram of a [[Motte-and-bailey castle|Motte and Bailey Castle]] ]]
Surviving examples of medieval [[Secularity|secular]] architecture mainly served for defense, these include [[Fortification|forts]], [[castle]]s, [[tower house]]s, and [[Defensive wall|fortified walls]]. Fortifications were built during the Middle Ages to display the power of the lords of the land and reassure common folk in their protection of property and livelihood. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Warner |first=Philip |title=The medieval castle: life in a fortress in peace and war |date=1971 |publisher=Taplinger Pub. Co |isbn=978-0-8008-5186-6 |location=New York}}</ref>In the early Middle Ages, fortifications were made from wood and earth, these were called [[Motte-and-bailey castle|Motte and bailey castles]]. These consist of a [[stockade]] or [[palisade]] surrounding an enclosed courtyard and man-made mound. This fortification acted as a passive obstacle that potential enemies would have to face to attack the civilization. However, this method of fortification had its downside including being vulnerable to fires so more methods of fortification were created.

Military architecture began to start being created with stone in the [[11th century]], it was also used to indicate wealth and power of the area protected with it. Stone was much more durable and was fireproof. They also began to adopt the use of cylindrical ground plans. There were many benefits to a cylindrical shape, it reduced blindspots, they were more resistant.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kaufmann |first1=Joseph Erich |title=The Medieval fortress: castles, forts and walled cities of the Middle Age |last2=Kaufmann |first2=Hanna Wanda |date=2001 |publisher=Combined Publishing |isbn=978-1-58097-062-4 |location=Conshohocken (Pa.)}}</ref> Some examples of cylindrical fortifications are the [[gate tower]]s at [[Harlech Castle]] and the [[Mende, France|Tour des Pénitents.]]

Medieval Fortifications also displayed many different defensive elements including, [[Hoarding (castle)|hoardings]], loopholes or crosslets, and [[moat]]s. Hoarding and loopholes were both beneficial for the [[Archery|archers]] or missile throwers, allowing them to see their targets better. Windows gained a cross-shape for more than decorative purposes, they provided a perfect fit for a [[crossbow]]man to shoot invaders from inside safely. [[Moat]]s were used as a defensive mechanism for keeping attackers further away from the fort, while most were kept dry, moats were much more effective when wet.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Oulmas |first1=Mohand |last2=Abdessemed-Foufa |first2=Amina |last3=Avilés |first3=Angel Benigno Gonzalez |last4=Conesa |first4=José Ignacio Pagán |date=January 2024 |title=Assessing the Defensibility of Medieval Fortresses on the Mediterranean Coast: A Study of Algerian and Spanish Territories |journal=ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=2 |doi=10.3390/ijgi13010002 |doi-access=free |issn=2220-9964|hdl=10045/139477 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>