Inside Out Medieval Castle

Step into the past, a world of stone and steel—and excitement! With beautiful illustrations and captivating text, an interactive die-cut model reveals the many parts of a medieval castle. Though most people live in regular houses now, castles have influenced both architecture and lifestyles across the centuries. From their original purpose of defence and protection, to their housing of royalty and knights, Inside Out Medieval Castle includes everything you need to start your medieval adventure, from scaling a tower to outfitting an armoury.

After an introduction to the history of castles in medieval Europe, explore every nook and cranny of this amazing structure, including the castle's:

Portcullis: A grand, stake-bottomed entrance gate made of iron-covered oak that was moved up and down in stone grooves.

Murder holes: Located in the castle's ceiling, through which boiling water, heated sand, or rocks could be poured on intruders.

Squints: Slits in the entryway walls that guards used to safely spy on, and sometimes shoot arrows at, visitors.

Tower staircases: These spiralled downward to the left so defenders could run down wielding swords in their right hands, while attackers coming up fought left-handed.

Garderobes: Toilets found in some castles that consisted of a stone slab with a round hole that took waste down a shaft into the moat or cesspit.

Along the way, learn about the lives of the castle's inhabitants and keepers, from the highly trained knights and powerful lords to the constables, bottlers (a title that later became "butler"), and messengers. Take a look, stay the night—you never know what you'll uncover!