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Sigmund, the son of Volsung, lived in a castle with a giant oak tree growing out of it. A disguised Odin thrusts a powerful sword in the oak and says that whoever can pull it out will be able to keep the mighty sword. No grown men could pull it out, but young Sigmund pulls it out with ease.

Sigmund and the Oak Tree

Sigmund, the son of Volsung, lived in a castle with a giant oak tree growing out of it. A disguised…

An illustration of a pictorial banner with a ship near a castle on a cliff.

Ship Near Cliff with Castle Banner

An illustration of a pictorial banner with a ship near a castle on a cliff.

A pictorial banner illustrated with a guard leaning on a ledge looking over the city.

Guard Sitting Looking Over Ledge Pictorial Banner

A pictorial banner illustrated with a guard leaning on a ledge looking over the city.

A machicolation is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall. The design was developed in the Middle Ages when the Norman crusaders returned. A machicolated battlement projects outwards from the supporting wall in order to facilitate this.

Machicolation

A machicolation is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones…

A mangonel (derived from Greco-Latin word manganon, meaning "engine of war") was a type of catapult or siege machine used in the medieval period to throw projectiles at a castle's walls. The exact meaning of the term is debatable, and several possibilities have been suggested. It may have been a name for counterweight artillery (trebuchets), possibly either a fixed-counterweight type, or one with a particular type of frame.

Mangonel

A mangonel (derived from Greco-Latin word manganon, meaning "engine of war") was a type of catapult…

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola in the province of Viterbo, Northern Lazio, Italy, approximately 50 kilometres (35 miles) north-west of Rome. The Villa Farnese is a massive Renaissance construction begun in the early 1520s by Antonio da Sangallo, opening to the Monte Cimini, a range of densely wooded volcanic hills. It has a five-sided plant, and is built in reddish gold stone; buttresses support the piano nobile above, with two floors above again housing an almost complete two-story villa in itself. As a centerpiece of the vast Farnese holdings, it has always been more than a villa in the ordinary agricultural or pleasure senses. "Another school, which displays a still stricter imitation of classical forms than that of which Bramante was the founder, was represented and advocated by Giacomo Barozzio, who is known under the name of Vignola (1507- 1573). This architect, by his works and his great influence on his contemporaries and successors, and the effect of his example is, like Palladio's, to be traced not only in the architectural bias of his own times, but also in the course of history of the eighteenth century. This result was principally brought about by means of his book on the five columnar orders of antiquity, and this treatise has been regarded as an authority down to the latest times. His most noteworthy construction is the Castle of Caprarola, between Rome and Viterbo."

Farnese Palace at Rome

The Villa Farnese, also known as Palazzo Farnese or Villa Caprarola, is a mansion in the town of Caprarola…

The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture that blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Italian structures. "The artistic influence of Italy came into operation in France sooner than in other European countries, for as early as the fifteenth century the Renaissance style was introduced there by Italian architects, as, for instance, by Fra Giocondo, who was summoned thither by Louis XII. But at the epoch the Flamboyant style was still in its vigour, and the buildings then erected could not extricate themselves from its influence. The consequence was that a blending of the two styles temporarily prevailed, as, for instance in the Château de Blois, which Louis XII. caused to be built, and which has lately been restored by Duban. It was in these country residences of the nobility, especially on the banks of the Loire, that this architectural activity was displayed during the earlier period of the Renaissance; amongst their number the Château de Chambord [shown here] is most worthy of notice. The pilasters and their mouldings of the Renaissance style were, it is true, somewhat rudely carried out, and in the earlier period were combined with certain elements of the Flamboyant style. Highly ornamental gables and dormer-windows. especially, were executed in the latter style. Buildings were contemporaneously constructed entirely in the Flamboyant style, as, for instance, the Cathedral, the Palais de Justice, and the Hâtel Bourgtheroulde, all at Rouen, and the Hâtel de Ville at Compiègne."

Château de Chambord

The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France is one of the most recognizable…

The Château de Beaumesnil was begun in 1633 by Jacques de Nonant for his wife Marie Dauvet Desmaret. Construction lasted until 1640. Today, Beaumesnil is a commune, the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic, in the Eure department in Haute-Normandie in northern France. "Although Du Cerceau was obligated to leave France in the year 1604, the impulse which he had given in the direction of the above-mentioned manner led to its being generally adopted. The new buildings were more correct, but less picturesque than those built during the earlier period of the French Renaissance, and a certain insipidity seems to characterize the various structures erected during the reigns of Henry IV., and especially Louis XIII. As is shown [here], a combination of free-stone and brick was restored to in such a way that the former was employed for the mouldings, and for the quoins and dressings of the doors and windows, whilst brick was used for the spaces between. In the case of the windows the free-stone introduced assumed the forms of quoins. If ornamentation had been previously excessive, it now retired into the background, and was only employed in moderation; and the method of its treatment began to be distinguished from that of the former period. The forms of the details above all began to lose in purity: rustications were inappropriately introduced in the walls and columns, and the roofs were made high and steep, which gave the rest of the building a heavy and squat appearance, whilst the numerous turret-shaped chimneys, which were necessitated by these high roofs, formed a peculiar feature in the construction. The Roccoco, or Baroque Style, was beginning at the same time to exert its influence. Commencing from the second half of the seventeenth century, this new architectural deviation became prevalent in all civilized countries, owing to the splendor and influence of the French power and manners, and the influence of Italian art was consequently paralyzed. [This image] gives a characteristic example of French architecture of this period of the Later Renaissance, showing the peculiarities which have been described above."

Château de Beaumesnil

The Château de Beaumesnil was begun in 1633 by Jacques de Nonant for his wife Marie Dauvet Desmaret.…

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France region of France. In French, it is known as the Château de Versailles."It was principally the above-mentioned system of Roccoco decoration and architectural detail which characterized the architecture of the time of Louis XV.; it is, consequently, sometimes designated as the style of Louis XV. [This image] gives a portion of an interior drawn in perspective.""Internal arrangement and decoration are the main characteristics of the style of this period, and in this direction the best results were doubtless produced. Large and lofty rooms, as well as scope for display, were indispensable; consequently this style of embellishment was most happily carried out in each state apartments, especially in the princely castles and palaces, or, as the French call them, the "Hôtels" of the aristocracy."

Saloon in the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France…

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France region of France. In French, it is known as the Château de Versailles. "It was principally the above-mentioned system of Roccoco decoration and architectural detail which characterized the architecture of the time of Louis XV.; it is, consequently, sometimes designated as the style of Louis XV." This image depicts the entire wall. "Internal arrangement and decoration are the main characteristics of the style of this period, and in this direction the best results were doubtless produced. Large and lofty rooms, as well as scope for display, were indispensable; consequently this style of embellishment was most happily carried out in each state apartments, especially in the princely castles and palaces, or, as the French call them, the "Hôtels" of the aristocracy."

Saloon in the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France…

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 80 m (262 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl. The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections. "The Renaissance style was not employed in Germany before the middle of the sixteenth century, and the most noteworthy instances of it are the Belvedere of Ferdinand I., on the Hradschin at Prague, and the so-called Otto Henry buildings at Heidelberg Castle (1556-1559) The Façade of the last-mentioned structure, of which [this image] represents [a portion], in peculiar for a richness and variety of details which almost border on excess. At the same time a certain heaviness prevails, which forms a contrast to the graceful elegance of the best Italian buildings in the same style: in fact these faults may be said to characterize the productions of the German Renaissance style in general."

Façade of the Otto Heinrich Building in Heidelberg Castle

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and…

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 80 m (262 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl. The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections. "The Renaissance style was not employed in Germany before the middle of the sixteenth century, and the most noteworthy instances of it are the Belvedere of Ferdinand I., on the Hradschin at Prague, and the so-called Otto Henry buildings at Heidelberg Castle (1556-1559) The Façade of the last-mentioned structure, of which [this image] represents [a portion], in peculiar for a richness and variety of details which almost border on excess. At the same time a certain heaviness prevails, which forms a contrast to the graceful elegance of the best Italian buildings in the same style: in fact these faults may be said to characterize the productions of the German Renaissance style in general."

Façade of the Otto Heinrich Building in Heidelberg Castle

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and…

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 80 m (262 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl. The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections. "The Renaissance style was not employed in Germany before the middle of the sixteenth century, and the most noteworthy instances of it are the Belvedere of Ferdinand I., on the Hradschin at Prague, and the so-called Otto Henry buildings at Heidelberg Castle (1556-1559). The Façade of the last-mentioned structure" "in peculiar for a richness and variety of details which almost border on excess. At the same time a certain heaviness prevails, which forms a contrast to the graceful elegance of the best Italian buildings in the same style: in fact these faults may be said to characterize the productions of the German Renaissance style in general. A further instance of this is afforded by [this image], which represents a portion of the façade , though, properly speaking, it belongs to the Roccocco style."

Façade of the Building of Henry the Wise in Heidelberg Castle (1601-1607)

The Heidelberg Castle (in German language named: Heidelberger Schloss) is a famous ruin in Germany and…

The Lady and the Rooks is an engraving on a wood block that was created by Edward Calvert, an English printmaker during the 19th century. It depicts a lady standing near a castle.

The Lady and the Rooks

The Lady and the Rooks is an engraving on a wood block that was created by Edward Calvert, an English…

The ruins of Coucy are what remains of a castle built in about the year 1230 by Enguerrand III, Lord of Coucy. The castle is located in the commune of Coucy-le-Chateau-Auffrique. It was renovated by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. The castle use to have four towers, however, they were demolished during World War I by German troops.

Ruins of Coucy

The ruins of Coucy are what remains of a castle built in about the year 1230 by Enguerrand III, Lord…

The Windsor castle is located in the county of Berkshire in England. It is the largest inhabited castle in the world. Currently it is one of the principal residence of the British Monarch, where Queen Elizabeth II spends many weekends out of the year at the castle.

Windsor Castle

The Windsor castle is located in the county of Berkshire in England. It is the largest inhabited castle…

The Pontefract Castle is located in the town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England. It was where Richard II, eighth King of England lived and died. The castle was built by Ilbert de Lacy in about 1070.

Pontefract Castle

The Pontefract Castle is located in the town of Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England. It was where…

The Norwich Castle was built in 1067 by the order of William the Conquerer, who was King of England at the time. The castle was built to be used as fortification in the city of Norwich, England.

Norwich Castle

The Norwich Castle was built in 1067 by the order of William the Conquerer, who was King of England…

"On the other hand large country seats are usually either midæval castles in the Tudor Perpendicular style [shown here], or else display that heavy Renaissance style which is peculiar to England, and called the Elizabethan, sometimes with an admixture of the Tudor style. In some instances, they follow that development of Italian Renaissance known in England as Palladian."

Baltimore Castle

"On the other hand large country seats are usually either midæval castles in the Tudor Perpendicular…

"It is especially this vitiated taste in form and details which characterized the Elizabethan Renaissance. The unusual Roccoco Renaissance forms also occur in it, as for instance, the quadrant-shaped gables curving alternately inwards and outwards, as also pilasters and columns intersected by quoins and bands; and various grotesque and debased forms. Enriched quoins are also freely used at angles and jambs. [This image] may serve as a specimen of the detail of the Elizabethan style."

Corner of a Fire-Place in the Elizabeth Gallery at Windsor Castle

"It is especially this vitiated taste in form and details which characterized the Elizabethan Renaissance.…

William Tell was known as an expert marksman with the crossbow. At the time, Habsburg emperors were seeking to dominate Uri. Hermann Gessler, the newly appointed Austrian Vogt of Altdorf raised a pole in the village's central square with his hat on top and demanded that all the local townsfolk bow before it. Tell passed without bowing, and was arrested. His punishment, being forced to shoot an apple off the head of his son, Walter, or else both would be executed. Tell had been promised freedom if he shot the apple. Tell split the fruit with a single bolt from his crossbow. When Gessler queried him about the purpose of the second bolt in his quiver, Tell answered that if he had ended up killing his son in that trial, he would have turned the crossbow on Gessler himself. Gessler became enraged at that comment, and had Tell bound and brought to his ship to be taken to his castle at Küssnacht. In a storm on Lake Lucerne, Tell managed to escape. He went to Küssnacht, and when Gessler arrived, Tell shot him. Tell's defiance of Gessler sparked a rebellion leading to the formation of the Swiss Confederation.

William Tell

William Tell was known as an expert marksman with the crossbow. At the time, Habsburg emperors were…

A kitchen cabinet is a type of cupboard popular in the first decades of the twentieth century. Named after the Hoosier Manufacturing Co. of New Castle, Indiana, they were also made by several other companies, most also located in Indiana.

Perspective View of Kitchen Cabinet

A kitchen cabinet is a type of cupboard popular in the first decades of the twentieth century. Named…

A doorway to a watch tower at Lincoln Castle during the fourteenth century. Guards usually observe the surrounding area in watch towers for threats.

Gothic Watch Tower Doorway

A doorway to a watch tower at Lincoln Castle during the fourteenth century. Guards usually observe the…

An illustration of mumming, or masquerading, in Windsor Castle Garden during the fourteenth century. The garden is enclosed in a fence and flowers planted around the garden.

Mumming at Windsor Castle Garden

An illustration of mumming, or masquerading, in Windsor Castle Garden during the fourteenth century.…

A historic castle in London.

The Tower of London

A historic castle in London.

The drawbridge of a castle.

Drawbridge

The drawbridge of a castle.

A castle courtyard.

Castle Courtyard

A castle courtyard.

In the short story The Attack on the Castle, the character Rebecca is drawn to show her moving to a window.

Rebecca Goes to the Window

In the short story The Attack on the Castle, the character Rebecca is drawn to show her moving to a…

A cartoon drawing of soldiers entering a dark cave where a giant resides.

In Doubting Castle

A cartoon drawing of soldiers entering a dark cave where a giant resides.

A cartoon image showing some soldiers on horses running to attack a castle.

The Fight

A cartoon image showing some soldiers on horses running to attack a castle.

An example of a medieval castle.

Typical Medieval Castle

An example of a medieval castle.

"This fortress was founded by Edward I in 1283. It is one of the most impressive of the decayed medieval strongholds of the British Isles."—Myers, 1905

Carnarvon Castle

"This fortress was founded by Edward I in 1283. It is one of the most impressive of the decayed medieval…

A castle in the town of Foix, France, which is the center of the Cathars.

Castle of Foix

A castle in the town of Foix, France, which is the center of the Cathars.

The storming of a medieval fortress and prison in Paris by revolutionaries, which represented royal authority.

Storming of the Bastille

The storming of a medieval fortress and prison in Paris by revolutionaries, which represented royal…

A rare breed of cattle that live in a large enclosed part at Chillingham Castle in England.

Chillingham Bull

A rare breed of cattle that live in a large enclosed part at Chillingham Castle in England.

A side border of flowers. In the upper right corner, there is an image of a castle.

Flower Border

A side border of flowers. In the upper right corner, there is an image of a castle.

The Chateau of Chenonceaux is a castle in the small village of Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley, France. It was built around the 11th century and the current manor was designed by French Renaissance Architect Philibert Delorme. The castle was inhabited by many French Kings.

Chateau of Chenonceaux

The Chateau of Chenonceaux is a castle in the small village of Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley, France.…

The Chateau of Chambord is located in the commune of Chambord in the Loire Valley, France. The castle is famous for its French Renaissance architecture that blends French Medieval with classical Italian styles. It was constructed by King Francois I, and is the largest castle in Loire Valley.

Chateau of Chambord

The Chateau of Chambord is located in the commune of Chambord in the Loire Valley, France. The castle…

Located about 55 kilometers from Paris, it is one of the largest French royal chateaus. Pictured is the Porte Doree, its southern entrance. The Chateau Fontainebleau is the largest royal castle in France. The palace was designed by numerous French monarchs, one of them being King Francis I during the 16th century. The palace is designed in an Italian Mannerist style which later became known as the "Fontainebleau style" during the 16th century.

Chateau of Fontainebleau

Located about 55 kilometers from Paris, it is one of the largest French royal chateaus. Pictured is…

Illustration of the Norman-built Rochester castle. The architect of the castle was Gundulf, a Norman monk, and the castle protected England's southeast coast. It is a view of the castle from the northwest and two of its towers are visible. There is a road leading away from the castle. A woman and a child holding hands, walk down the road. Trees line the road.

Rochester Castle as Seen from the Northwest

Illustration of the Norman-built Rochester castle. The architect of the castle was Gundulf, a Norman…

Illustration of an aerial view of an 11th century Norman castle in Europe. From this view, it is possible to see the outer wall, moat, outer and inner courts, the keep, turrets, stables and other interior buildings. There is a palisade of stakes around the moat.

An 11th Century Norman Castle, Aerial View

Illustration of an aerial view of an 11th century Norman castle in Europe. From this view, it is possible…

An aerial view of the siege of Château Gaillard, also called the Saucy Castle. Construction of the castle was begun by Richard the Lionheart in 1196. The castle was besieged by the French who are pictured encamped to the south of the castle with a siege tower and two catapults. The fortified town of Petit-Andely is pictured to the north in the background. The River Seine runs to the west.

The Siege of Château Gaillard, the Saucy Castle of Richard the Lionheart - Aerial View

An aerial view of the siege of Château Gaillard, also called the Saucy Castle. Construction of the…