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portcullis
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Illustration of a typical medieval castle complex viewed from above, showing labeled features including the chapel, inner and outer baileys, kitchen, storehouse, stables, donjon or keep, postern gate, list or ward, moat, portcullis, and drawbridge within fortified walls.
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portcullis

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Illustration of a typical medieval castle complex viewed from above, showing labeled features including the chapel, inner and outer baileys, kitchen, storehouse, stables, donjon or keep, postern gate, list or ward, moat, portcullis, and drawbridge within fortified walls.
castle Diagram of a typical medieval castle, with various elements labeled.

A portcullis is a heavy grating, typically made of wood and reinforced with iron, that is lowered vertically in grooves to block a gateway in a fortified place. It served as a crucial defensive mechanism in medieval castles, working in conjunction with other defenses like moats, drawbridges, and barbicans to protect the entrance.12

The primary function of a portcullis was to prevent passage, acting as a formidable barrier that could be quickly deployed to impede attackers. These gratings were moved up and down within stone grooves, effectively clearing or blocking the passage as needed. The term "portcullis" originates from the Anglo-French phrase meaning "sliding door," reflecting its operational mechanism.12

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