Medieval dungeons were places called “the Keep” that functioned as the main tower of a castle and used as a defensive position. It was where the garrison or soldiers could retreat to in case of emergencies caused by enemy attacks. Medieval dungeons were also used to keep prisoners in and served as burial vaults which were built underneath castles. There are different forms of dungeons or keeps which depended on the shape of the structure. These included the residential keep and the cylindrical keep. Medieval dungeons were often constructed as part of castles during the Middle Ages.
The word “dungeon” comes from the French term “donjon” which means “tower.” Medieval dungeons were not quite close to how they are described in many books as dirty and dark basement pits because they were actually found in the castle’s highest tower. They were also clean and comfortable to stay in. However, basements and pit dungeons were also constructed and used to keep prisoners and bury the dead. These underground dungeons were the result of building more luxurious castles and were then called “oubliette” which is French meaning “to forget.” This was designed so that no one could escape without the aid of somebody else who could open the hatch in a high ceiling outside of the dungeon.
There are different types of medieval dungeons which included:
- Residential keeps – square towers with very thick walls and eventually became rectangular in shape.
- Cylindrical keeps – rounded towers which were used as a defense against battering rams and as a defensive structure
Norman or Romanesque keeps – built with towers at each corner and extend above the main keep to create watch towers. These also feature spiral staircases and drawbridges to guard the top of the stairs. Popular examples include the Tower of London, Rochester Castle, Domfront, and Loches.- Shell keeps – these were designed on top of castles to serve as defensive mounts. Examples include Restormel Castle in Cornwall and Gisors Castle in Normandy.
- Other famous keeps in Europe include The White Tower of the Tower of London which was constructed by William the Conqueror, Rouen where Joan of Arc was imprisoned and the dungeon of Château de Vincennes located in Paris which is considered to be the tallest dungeon in existence.
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