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A water gate (or watergate) is a fortified Marilyn Stokstad, ''Medieval Castles'', p.175
/ref> Water gates were often integral to the defense strategies of medieval castles, as they allowed for the control of waterways and facilitated the movement of troops and supplies during sieges.
A water gate (or watergate) is a fortified gate
A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word is derived from Proto-Germanic language, Proto-Germanic ''*gatan'', meaning an opening or passageway. Synonyms include yett (which comes from the same root w ...
, leading directly from a castle
A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...
or town wall directly on to a quay
A wharf ( or wharfs), quay ( , also ), staith, or staithe is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more Berth (mo ...
, river side or harbour. In medieval
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...
times it enabled people and supplies to reach the castle or fortification directly from the water, and equally allowed those within the castle direct access to water transport./ref> Water gates were often integral to the defense strategies of medieval castles, as they allowed for the control of waterways and facilitated the movement of troops and supplies during sieges.
Examples
* The Waterpoort, known as the symbol of Sneek * Bristol Castle * Newport Castle * Southampton Castle * The Traitors' Gate at theTower of London
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic citadel and castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamle ...
See also
* Irrigation gate *Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch dug around a castle, fortification, building, or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. Moats can be dry or filled with water. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water d ...
References
External links
* Types of gates Castle architecture City walls {{castle-stub