Selecting a photoOne of the best ways is to start off with a list of the features you want to show. In this case we wanted to see some or all of the following:• a series of drawbridges, doors and portcullises• attackers forced to concentrate their forces in small spaces, so they

are crowded together and easier to kill• the defenders have many places to fire from.We chose this photo. It isn’t perfect, because it doesn’t show the doors and portcullises, but it is the best one to show the confined spaces, and the only one to give a real idea of how the inner killing ground worked.

portcullis door portcullis portcullis door doorThese are physical barriers that would slow attackers down in the killing zone, and had to be broken through.

Concentrates the attackers so they are close together and easier to killa) the walled bridge in frontb) the hidden inner killing ground.

Attackers are trapped in this space by the next set of doors and portcullis and they can be fired on from above.

a

b

Lots of firing positions for the defenders to shoot fromAttackers in and approaching killing ground a can be fired on from the walls (1&4), the platform above the outer gate (2), the platform above the inner gate because it is so much higher (3), and the very high tower to the right of the inner gate (6).Attackers in killing ground b can be fired on from all four sides, the platforms above the two gates (2&3) and walkways with inner merlons and embrasures, as well as outer ones along both sides (5).

1

4

3

2

6

5

Castles - PhotosThe defensive features of the Barbican at Warwick Castle

a

b