What Are: Machicolations and Murder Holes

Warfare in Medieval times was rough.  Not only did soldiers have a range of slice and stabbing weapons, from swords and daggers to pikes and halberds, they also had more destructive weapons, including catapults and trebuchets, as well as fire, burning oil, pitch any other implement that came to mind, especially during sieges.  During a Medieval siege, with troops pressed against a castle's walls and clustered in tight areas such as gateways and sally ports, castle builders had to find effective defensive strategies.  Two of these, which are often confused, at machicolations and murder holes.

If one looks closely below the crenallated parapet atop a castle wall, one will see holes which would enable a defender to look down on, and fire down on, attackers clustered below.  These opening allowed attackers to pour water, oil or even sewage down on attackers, which would deter them from pressing the attack.  This innovation was began in the Middle East in the 12th century, but was soon brought to Europe, probably by returning crusaders.  One of the first commanders to order these openings in a newly-constructed castle was Richard the Lionheart with Chateau Galliard.  From there, they spread to other castles, though in England, machicolations were common in gatehouses, passageways and other vulnerable points in a castle's defense.

Machicolations are often confused with murder holes, which served a similar purpose.  During a siege, attackers could become tightly packed in a passageway, unable to move forward or quickly back out.  This would be the time to pour boiling water or flammable oil, or even fire a few arrows through holes in the ceiling of the passageway, in an effort to create pandemonium and force attackers back.  These holes are more commonly seen in England, in castles such as Bodiam Castle in Sussex, but also in fortified city walls.