Medieval Glossary

Battlement

The indentations in the top of castles, or fortified walls, in the form of embrasures. Essentially, battlements are a parapet that has crenels and merlons. Defenders could use the openings provided by the crenals to their advantage while fighting against any attackers. The merlons, on the other hand, provided them with cover and protection. Battlements could also be called crenellations.

Related term(s): Parapet; Crenel; Merlon; Crenellations; Fortification; Castle
Category: Castles and Fortifications
Added: 09.05.04
Last modified: 09.04.05
Source information: Wilhelm, Thomas. A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer. Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1881. 52.

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