Medieval Glossary

Loop

A narrow aperture in the wall of a church, or castle, giving light to a staircase, closet, or platform. Loop holes in castles were always of small dimensions externally, but widened inwards. These could be used to defend the castle through the discharge of arrows. Also called a loophole.

Related term(s): Loophole; Arrow Loop; Aleois
Category: Castles and Fortifications
Added: 01.02.06
Source information: Britton, John, F.S.A. A Dictionary of the Architecture and Archaeology of the Middle Ages. J. Le Keux, illus. London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans, Paternoster Row; and the Author, Burton Street, 1838. 305.

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