What more iconic building can there be for any fantasy gamer than the castle? These huge, imposing structures conjure up the very idea of medieval history or fantasy.

The term castle is usually used to mean a fortified structure that is also the residence of a noble of some kind. Across Europe, there are many varying styles of castle built by various European cultures. In Great Britain, the Norman castle is among the most common by far. Although these fortified structures often developed common features, they were not built from a standard blueprint or plan and so there are many differing plans used in their construction.

This map presents a large keep, the primary building in a castle. The full castle is likely to include a large wall enclosing an area large enough to house other, smaller buildings such as stables, granaries and so on. The inspiration for this particular castle has been drawn from several castles across the northern English county of Northumberland and is not a faithful representation of any one castle. I have taken significant artistic licence since each castle was built from a unique design rather than a standard blueprint. However, I drew most heavily on the 12th century Warkworth castle, which lies near the town of the same name. Warkworth particularly influenced the design of the ground or entrance floor of this castle although in fact in the real castle the kitchen and buttery lie on the level above the main entrance which is reached by external stairs

In times of immediate danger, local peasants or townsfolk would often be brought into the castle enclosure to help defend it and to keep them relatively safe from marauders.

Despite what years of films and TV have taught us to expect, the nobles that built and lived in these castles would maintain a fairly small standing force of soldiers – often only a handful of professional fighting men would be employed and the men of the noble family would be expected to lead them and to train hard in the ways of war. Noble men were fighting men and would usually begin learning the arts of war during childhood so that by the time they were grown men they would be formidable in combat – more than a match for any levy or pressed man in single combat. Women, too, would often learn the art of commanding troops in battle and many English noblewomen commanded the defence of her families castle while her male kin were away.

Castles were not comfortable places to live for most of the servants and staff. Far from having their own bed chambers, they would be accorded little more than some floor space upon which they could sleep.

Situating a castle was also important. They would rarely be on flat, open ground but would instead often be in commanding positions, sometimes surrounded by water or ditches, often with one or more of the approaches all but impossible.

http://www.rpgnow.com/pub_analysis.php

This 4 story castle map would make a formidable locale for any adventure.