If you ’re a sports fan ofGame of Thronesor mediaeval programs in general , you ’re in all likelihood familiar with activity - packed conflict aspect during which soldier surprise castles , dodge pointer , and dash up helical staircases . And , while those spiral staircases might not necessarily ascend clockwise in every television show or motion-picture show you ’ve watch out , they usually did in tangible lifespan .
According toNerdist , medieval architects construct staircases to twine around in a clockwise direction to disadvantage any foeman who might climb them . Since most soldiers wielded blade in their ripe hands , this meant that their swings would be suppress by the intimate rampart , and they ’d have to round each curvature before strike — fully exposing themselves in the process .
Just as the clockwise spiral hindered attackers , so , too , did it favor the castle ’s defenders . As they descended , they could drop theirswordsin arcs that matched the bender of the out wall , and use the internal rampart as a fond shield . And , because the proscribed wall runs along the encompassing edge of the stair , there was also more room for defenders to swing out . So , if you ’re plan on storming a mediaeval castle any time shortly , you should seek to recruit as manyleft - handedsoldiers as potential . And if you ’re oppose one , it ’s best to station your lefties on crossbow tariff and leave the tower - defending to the righties .
On his web log All Things Medieval , Will Kalifexplainsthat the individual stairs themselves provided another utilitarian advantage to defender of the region . Because the case-by-case footstep were n’t all designed with the same specification , it made for much more odd stairway than what we see today . This would n’t block the defender , having grown accustomed to the inconsistencies of the staircase in their home castle , but it could definitely trip up the assailant . Plus , run down a lot of step is always less Labour Party - intensive than going up .
Staircase construction and battle tactics are far from the only things that have alter since the Middle Ages . Back then , people even walked differently than we do — get hold out how ( and why)here .
[ h / tNerdist ]
