A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.

Jun 14, 2018 · The keep, located within a courtyard and surrounded by a curtain wall, was the heart of a medieval castle. The hall keep was a low building while the tower keep or donjon could have three or more floors and be topped by turrets and battlements.

A castle keep diagram is a visual representation of the layout and features of a castle keep, providing a detailed understanding of its architecture and defensive capabilities.

Feb 14, 2023 · Overall, a medieval castle keep was a building that lay at the center of the castle, introduced to Middle Age architecture after the Norman Conquest of the 11th century. It was the tallest of all towers and was also used by the Lord and Lady as their main residence.

The role of the keep changed from a last resort stronghold to only a lord's private residence or chamber. Another type of keep was the hall-keep. These were longer than they were high, and had very thick walls. They combined the castle keep, hall, solar and other chambers.

Put extremely simply, a Hall is a big central room, probably with a throne and likely used for dining and official events (weddings, feasts, etc). A Keep is the rest of the structure around that room - guard barracks, noble apartments, armoury, etc.

Mar 15, 2018 · Hall or Great Hall- a major room that’s possibly the heart of the castle which served as the castle’s principal living quarters. Usually a castle’s largest room either built in the keep or a separate building.

Jun 13, 2018 · The hall keep of Colchester Castle, Essex, England (c. 1074 CE). The sides of the keep measure 46 x 33.5 metres (151 x 110 ft).

Hall keeps were very common and most Norman barons and Saxon thegns depended on the protection they gave. These hall keeps needed to be large enough to house not only the baron's family, but his supporters and their animals.

A castle’s Keep is the strongest portion of a medieval fortification and the last resort in case of a siege or attack. It was usually a fortified tower built within the walls and used as a last refuge in case of an attack.