There are five types of buttress which were used in Medieval architecture:
- The Clasping buttress
- The Set-back buttress
- The Diagonal buttress
- The Angle buttress
- The Flying buttress
Purpose of the Buttress
The purpose of the Buttress was to make a castle wall stronger and defensible by reinforcing with a buttress.
The Introduction of the Buttress
The buttress was introduced with Norman and Plantagenet castles during the Medieval period 1066 - 1485. The old Medieval Castles were a symbol of wealth and power and were often the centre of historic battles and Medieval sieges. These great old castles were built for Medieval warfare and defence and new parts of the castle were designed accordingly! This section of ‘Castles’ provides interesting facts and information about the many different parts of Castles! The buttress was an essential part of castle architecture.
Buttress
Parts of a Castle
- What were the purpose of the different parts of the Medieval Castle?
- What was the difference between the parts of a castle called the Garderobe and the Wardrobe?
- Identifying parts of a castle - Description, purpose and function of the Moat, Dungeon and Portcullis
- Description, purpose and function of the Barbican, Gatehouse, Crenellations and Drawbridge