Main content
Course: Medieval Europe + Byzantine > Unit 12
Lesson 1: Late medieval artCahir Castle, Ireland
Cahir Castle, initial construction began in the 12th century, much of its construction dates to the 13th century and later, County Tipperary, Ireland.
A conversation with Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker. Created by Smarthistory.
Video transcript
(piano music) - [Dr. Steven] We're
standing in the oldest part of Cahir Castle, one of the largest and
best preserved castles in all of Ireland. This castle was initiated
in the 13th century but became very famous in the 16th. - [Dr. Lauren] Much of what
remains actually is dateable to the 13th century although it was expanded
and additions were made in pretty much every century
since the 13th century. But when it was constructed,
it was at the forefront. It had cutting edge defensive designs and we can still see how that
is arranged here on site. - [Dr. Steven] In this
oldest part of the castle we have an enclosure
that is bound by walls, defensive towers, a
great hall and the keep. But even though much of this is original, we can see alterations. For example, the Great
Hall is shorter and lower than it was originally. You can see the original roof line against one of the corner towers. And you can also see that it
would've originally extended further to the left to
enclose a large fireplace that's still visible but
now on an outside wall. And the reason for many of these changes is that this structure fell to the Earl of Essex in the 16th century. And although this castle had
been considered impenetrable, new innovations in
artillery brought it down. - [Dr. Lauren] When I
think of a medieval castle this is exactly what I think of. We have buildings that have
defensive crenallations on them. - [Dr. Steven] That is
the alternation between solid and void at the topmost edge. This allowed for archers
to hide and to shoot. - [Dr. Lauren] Similarly, we
have small rectangular windows that are defensive windows that
you could shoot arrows from or other types of weapons
that are not really intended to let light in. - [Dr. Steven] What I think
is perhaps most fascinating are murder holes. That is overhangs that allow for objects and potentially hot liquids to be poured onto invaders who come underneath. But what's so interesting is that this was an innovation
that actually began in the area that we now
call the Middle East. It was a kind of Islamic architecture that was noticed and adopted first by Crusaders who were
building their own castles in the Holy Land and then
brought back to Europe. Even as far away as Ireland. - [Dr. Lauren] Well, it was
such an effective design for defensive structures like castles. We also see the remains of post holes and other
projections that indicate that there would've been
places in the castle that would've had multiple
levels that no longer exist. Possibly with ramps or
other types of walkways for people to move about the castle. - [Dr. Steven] And of course, the sighting of the castle was critical. This castle was sighted
on one side of an island. It is completely surrounded by water but that is immediately so on three sides. This was a naturally defensible position. - [Dr. Lauren] It functions
in some ways like a moat. The castle itself, the
structure includes a dry moat. And beyond this inner enclosure
that we're standing in, the oldest part, in later centuries, in the 15th and 16th centuries, you had additional outer enclosures added to make this an even
more defensible structure. - [Dr. Steven] When you
think about the labor that's required to build
a defensive structure such as this it makes
it immediately evident how dangerous a world it was. That this much treasure
and this much labor and time would be expended
to produce something that might eventually become useful. - [Dr. Lauren] And there
are hundreds and hundreds of castles dotting the landscape
of Ireland still today. Some in better condition than others. Cahir happens to be in
especially good condition. But it is a testament to the
rival kingdoms and families, but also the result of Viking invasions, of the Anglo-Norman invasions, of, later, the English invasions, and colonists and settlers. And the different factions and shifting political
alliances made the need for defensible structures
of paramount importance. - [Dr. Steven] And this castle held strong until the Earl of Essex came with the largest army that
had ever come to Ireland. And although that army was much
reduced by the time it came into contact with the
rebels who held this castle, it was taken thanks to
advances in artillery that were able to undermine
the walls and the towers. - [Dr. Lauren] Despite
falling in the 16th century, and despite successive downfalls later on, because it still retains
so much of its original 13th and 14th century structures, it has served as the backdrop for a number of shows and
movies in pop culture. - [Dr. Steven] It is
everything we could want from a medieval castle. (piano music)