Murder hole facts for kids
A murder hole is a special opening found in old castles and forts. It's a hole in the ceiling, usually above a gateway or a narrow passage. Defenders could use these holes to drop or pour things down on attackers who tried to get inside.
They might throw rocks, shoot arrows, or pour hot water, sand, or even sticky tar. Sometimes, people think they poured boiling oil, but this was very rare because oil was expensive.
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What Are Murder Holes?
A murder hole is a hidden opening in the ceiling of a castle's entrance. Its main purpose was to stop enemies who managed to break through the outer defenses. Imagine attackers rushing into a castle's entrance. Suddenly, things would start falling on them from above! This made it very hard for them to keep going.
How Were They Used?
Defenders would stand above the murder hole. From there, they could drop heavy stones or shoot arrows down. They might also pour hot liquids or other harmful materials. This was a very effective way to defend a castle's weakest point – its entrance.
Murder Holes vs. Machicolations
You might hear about something similar called a machicolation. Both are holes used for defense, but they are in different places.
Where Were They Found?
Murder holes were always inside the castle, usually right above the main entrance or a hallway. They were meant to deal with enemies who had already entered the building.
Machicolations, on the other hand, were found on the outside walls of castles. They were like stone balconies with gaps in the floor. These gaps allowed defenders to drop things straight down onto attackers trying to climb the walls below.
How Machicolations Worked
Machicolations were built using stone supports called corbels. These corbels made the top part of the wall, called the parapet, stick out. This created gaps in the floor where defenders could drop rocks or other items right at the base of the wall.
More Than Just Defense?
While murder holes were great for defense, some historians think they had other uses too.
Communication and Light
For example, the murder hole at Audley's Castle in Northern Ireland isn't above the main door. It's over a hallway leading to an inner room. This suggests it might have been used for talking between different floors or even to let in light.
In smaller castles, like tower houses, murder holes were often above the main lobby. Sometimes, these holes didn't give a very good view of the area below. This makes it seem possible that they were used for more than just fighting. The murder hole at Tully Castle, also in Northern Ireland, is in the middle of the first floor, showing how varied their placement could be.
