Curtain Walls

The walkways in Warwick Castle that run along the curtain walls meant that crossbowmen and archers could move swiftly to quell danger at any point on the perimeter. Once in position they could pick off the enemy from the battlements. These consist of solid sections of wall, called merlons, and gaps, known as embrasures. The tops of the towers are encircled by parapets that added a further layer to the castle's defences. Cut into the floor of the parapet at regular intervals are openings, or machicolations, through which the garrison could drop stones or pour boiling pitch and quicklime onto the unfortunate attackers below.
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