Bergfried
Encyclopedia
A bergfried is a tall tower typically found in medieval castles in German-speaking countries (Thompson 2008, p. 22). Its defensive function is to some extent similar to that of a keep
or donjon in English or French castles. However, the characteristic difference between a bergfried and a keep lies in the fact that a bergfried was typically not designed for permanent habitation.
The living quarters of a castle with a bergfried are separate, often in a lower tower called a palas. (An English-style keep combines both functions of habitation and defence.) Consequently, a bergfried could be built as a tall slender tower with little internal room or vault
s and few if any windows. The bergfried served as a watchtower
and as a refuge during siege
s (at least if the siege was relatively brief). The distinction between a bergfried and a keep is not always clear-cut, as there were thousands of such towers built with many variations. There are some French keeps with only austere living quarters, while some late bergfrieds in Germany were intended to be habitable (Piper 1900).
For maximum protection, the bergfried could be sited in the centre of the castle ward
unconnected to the curtain wall
. Alternatively, it could be close to the curtain wall on the most vulnerable side as an additional defence, or even project from the curtain wall. For instance, the Marksburg has its bergfried in the centre, and Burg Katz on the side most likely to be attacked. Some castles, such as Münzenberg castle
, have two bergfrieds.
Outside Germany, the crusader castles of Montfort and Judin built by the Teutonic Knights had prominent towers that some authors have compared to a bergfried (Kennedy 2000, Folda 2005), arguing that these castles depended more on Rhineland than local crusader traditions of military architecture.
with belfry
.
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
or donjon in English or French castles. However, the characteristic difference between a bergfried and a keep lies in the fact that a bergfried was typically not designed for permanent habitation.
The living quarters of a castle with a bergfried are separate, often in a lower tower called a palas. (An English-style keep combines both functions of habitation and defence.) Consequently, a bergfried could be built as a tall slender tower with little internal room or vault
Vault (architecture)
A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
s and few if any windows. The bergfried served as a watchtower
Watchtower
A watchtower is a type of fortification used in many parts of the world. It differs from a regular tower in that its primary use is military, and from a turret in that it is usually a freestanding structure. Its main purpose is to provide a high, safe place from which a sentinel or guard may...
and as a refuge during siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
s (at least if the siege was relatively brief). The distinction between a bergfried and a keep is not always clear-cut, as there were thousands of such towers built with many variations. There are some French keeps with only austere living quarters, while some late bergfrieds in Germany were intended to be habitable (Piper 1900).
For maximum protection, the bergfried could be sited in the centre of the castle ward
Ward (fortification)
In fortifications, a bailey or ward refers to a courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall. In particular, an early type of European castle was known as a Motte-and-bailey. Castles can have more than one ward. Their layout depends both on the local topography and the level of fortification technology...
unconnected to the curtain wall
Curtain wall (fortification)
A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult....
. Alternatively, it could be close to the curtain wall on the most vulnerable side as an additional defence, or even project from the curtain wall. For instance, the Marksburg has its bergfried in the centre, and Burg Katz on the side most likely to be attacked. Some castles, such as Münzenberg castle
Münzenberg castle
Münzenberg is a ruined castle close to the town of the same name in Germany, dating from the 12th century. It is one of the best preserved castles from the High Middle Ages in Germany.-Architecture:...
, have two bergfrieds.
Outside Germany, the crusader castles of Montfort and Judin built by the Teutonic Knights had prominent towers that some authors have compared to a bergfried (Kennedy 2000, Folda 2005), arguing that these castles depended more on Rhineland than local crusader traditions of military architecture.
Etymology
The word '"bergfried", sometimes spelled "berchfrit" is cognateCognate
In linguistics, cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. This learned term derives from the Latin cognatus . Cognates within the same language are called doublets. Strictly speaking, loanwords from another language are usually not meant by the term, e.g...
with belfry
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
.