Castle facts (not for those with weak stomachs!)

• Contrary to popular belief, the moats surrounding castles were not filled with dangerous creatures – in fact, the truth was much worse.  The garbage man didn’t exist in medieval times, not did modern plumbing or sewer systems…so unless you were prepared for a very stinky swim, moats proved to be a very effective defense mechanism!
• Murder holes were the names given to openings in the ceiling above entryways to the castle, because boiling liquids could be poured down onto anyone trying to invade.
• Castles utilized slit windows – tall, narrow openings – as a way to shoot at enemies with little risk of being shot back.  They also kept out cold more effectively than big, open windows.
• The portcullis was the spiked gate on the main entryway of a castle.  Castles actually had two -- intruders would walk up to one, and, before they knew what was happening, and another would crash shut behind them, trapping them inside.  If they looked up, they would see the murder holes.