The European crusaders may have had superior firepower when they attacked Jerusalem in the 12th Century, but the Muslims had the edge when it came to castle and keep design.
The Europeans copied the round towers, battlements, barbicans,
parapets, machicolations (gaps in a parapet through which arrows, hot
oil or stones could be aimed) and arrow slits when they returned home,
often with the help of Muslim masons.
The crusades were a
violent time, but there were peaceful periods too when the crusaders
could swap ideas and watch how the Muslims built their fortifications.
And the large movement of people during this time helped Muslim ideas
spread to the west, through Richard the Lion Heart and many others.
Explore some of the castles in England like the Tower of London and Windsor Castle. Tell us your experience of visiting these places and vote for them if you think they are icons of England!
