Shield wall (castle)

This article is about defensive structure of a castle. For military or police tactic, see Shield wall.
The shield wall of Stahleck Castle

A shield wall, also shield-wall or Schildmauer, refers to the highest and strongest curtain wall, or tower of a castle that defends the only practicable line of approach to a castle built on a mountain, hill or headland.[1][2][3] German sources may refer to a shield wall that protects two or more sides as a Hoher Mantel or Mantelmauer, which is variously translated as "mantle-wall",[4] "mantle wall"[5] or "high screen-wall".[6] There is often no clear, definitive distinction between a shield wall and a mantle wall.

  1. ^ Cairns 1989, p. 31.
  2. ^ Skaarup 2003, p. 203.
  3. ^ Taylor 1998, p. 318.
  4. ^ Castles of the Western World by Armin Tuulse, p. 86. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013
  5. ^ Castle by Christopher Gravett, p. 20. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013
  6. ^ Burgen und feste Plätze by K.G. Saur, p. 231. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013