Portcullis
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A portcullis is a heavy, vertically closing gate typically found in medieval fortifications. It consists of a latticed grille made of wood and/or metal, which slides down grooves inset within each jam
Portcullis at Desmond Castle, Adare, County Limerick, Ireland
The inner portcullis of the Torre dell'Elefante in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Double portcullis gates at Petersberg Citadel, Erfurt
Murder hole
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A murder hole or meurtrière is a hole in the ceiling of a gateway or passageway in a fortification through which the defenders could shoot, throw or pour harmful substances or objects such as rocks, a
Portcullis
…closed first and then the one further away. This was used to trap enemies, and burning wood or fire-heated sand would usually be dropped onto them from murder holes or the roof. Hot oil, however, was not commonly used in this manner, contrary to popular belief, since oil was extremely expensive. Arrowslits in the…
Murder holes at Bodiam Castle