A machicolation (French: mâchicoulis) is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones or other material, such as boiling water, hot sand, quicklime[2] or boiling cooking oil, could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall.[3] A smaller version found on smaller structures is called a box-machicolation.
The structures are thought to have originated as Crusader imitations of mashrabiya.[4]
The word derives from the Old French word machecol, mentioned in Medieval Latin as machecollum, probably from Old French machier[5] 'crush', 'wound' and col 'neck'. Machicolate is only recorded in the 18th century in English, but a verb machicollāre is attested in Anglo-Latin.[6][page needed]
Both the Spanish and Portuguese words denoting this structure (matacán and mata-cães, respectively), are similarly composed from "matar canes" meaning roughly "killing dogs", the latter word being a slur referring to infidels.[7][page needed]
In Italy and countries which were influenced by the Italian language, such as Malta, it was known as piombatoio.[8]
Similar to a machicolation is a smaller version which opens similar to an enclosed balcony, generally from a tower rather than a larger structure. This is called a box-machicolation.[9]
The design of a machicoulis (sometimes called drop box) originates from the Middle East, where they are usually found on defensive walls. The original Arabian design is rather small, and similar to the domestic wooden balcony known as mashrabiya.[10]
In contrast to the domestic balcony, for purposes of defense, the Middle-East version of the machicoulis prominently features a wide opening at the bottom. The opening allows the dropping of hot water and other material intended to cause harm to the enemy below. The otherwise enclosed opening adapted from that of a closed balcony also provides cover from enemy attack while using it.[10][11]
Machicolations were more common in French castles than English, where they were usually restricted to the gateway, as in the 13th-century Conwy Castle.[12] One of the first examples of machicolation that still exists in northern France is at the Château de Farcheville built in 1291 outside Paris.[13]
The origins are from Syria and the Crusaders brought their design to Europe.[14] Machicolations were a common feature in many towers in Rhodes, which were built by the Knights Hospitallers.[8] After the Knights were given rule over Malta, machicolations also became a common feature on rural buildings, until the 18th century. Buildings with machicolations include Cavalier Tower, Gauci Tower, the Captain's Tower, Birkirkara Tower, and Tal-Wejter Tower.[9]
A hoarding is a similar structure made of wood, usually temporarily constructed in the event of a siege. Advantages of machicolations over wooden hoardings include the greater strength and fire resistance of stone.[15]
Post-medieval use
Decorative machicolation at Penrhyn Castle in north Wales, which was built between 1822 and 1837.
Machicolation was later used for decorative effect with spaces between the corbels but without the openings, and subsequently became a characteristic of many non-military buildings.[16][a]
^ abSpiteri, Stephen C. (2008). (PDF). Arx - Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (1–4): 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2017.
^ abSpiteri, Stephen C. (May 2008). (PDF). Arx - Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (6): 59. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2016.
^ abJaccarini, C. J. (2002). (PDF). L-Imnara (in Maltese). Rivista tal-Għaqda Maltija tal-Folklor. 7 (1): 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2016.
^Azzopardi, Joe (April 2012). (PDF). Vigilo. Valletta: Din l-Art Ħelwa (41): 26–33. ISSN 1026-132X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2015.
^Mesqui, Jean (1997). Châteaux forts et fortifications en France (in French). Paris: Flammarion. p. 493. ISBN2-08-012271-1.
^Cathcart King, David James (1988). The Castle in England and Wales: an Interpretative History. London: Croom Helm. pp. 84–87. ISBN0-918400-08-2.
^Toy, Sidney (2006). History of Fortification from 3000 BC to AD 1700. Pen and Sword. p. 103. ISBN9781844153589. (1st ed. 1955; 2nd ed. 1966)
^The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. 2010. p. 344. ISBN9780195334036.
Bibliography
Brown, R. Allen (2004) [1954]. Allen Brown's English Castles. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press. ISBN1-84383-069-8.
Hoad, T. F. (1986), English Etymology, Oxford University Press
Villena, Leonardo (1988). "Sobre las defensas verticales en España: tipología y terminlogía comparadas". In Andrés Bazzana (ed.). Guerre, fortification et habitat dans le monde méditerranéen au Moyen Age: colloque. Casa de Velázquez. ISBN978-84-86839-02-4.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Machicolations.
Look up machicolation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture: machicolation.
Machicolation
April 01, 2023
machicolation, machicolation, french, mâchicoulis, floor, opening, between, supporting, corbels, battlement, through, which, stones, other, material, such, boiling, water, sand, quicklime, boiling, cooking, could, dropped, attackers, base, defensive, wall, sma. A machicolation French machicoulis is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement through which stones or other material such as boiling water hot sand quicklime 2 or boiling cooking oil could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall 3 A smaller version found on smaller structures is called a box machicolation MachicolationMachicoulis PiombatoioA box machicolation of the Tal Wejter Tower in Birkirkara Malta 1 General informationLocationEurope Middle East and North AfricaTechnical detailsMaterialStone sometimes wood Contents 1 Terminology 2 Description and use 3 Post medieval use 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksTerminology Edit Bab Kisan Kisan Gate now the facade of the Chapel of Saint Paul in Damascus with a box machicolation above the main entrance The structures are thought to have originated as Crusader imitations of mashrabiya 4 The word derives from the Old French word machecol mentioned in Medieval Latin as machecollum probably from Old French machier 5 crush wound and col neck Machicolate is only recorded in the 18th century in English but a verb machicollare is attested in Anglo Latin 6 page needed Both the Spanish and Portuguese words denoting this structure matacan and mata caes respectively are similarly composed from matar canes meaning roughly killing dogs the latter word being a slur referring to infidels 7 page needed In Italy and countries which were influenced by the Italian language such as Malta it was known as piombatoio 8 Similar to a machicolation is a smaller version which opens similar to an enclosed balcony generally from a tower rather than a larger structure This is called a box machicolation 9 Description and use Edit Illustration of machicolations in use 15th century machicolations at Craigmillar Castle in Scotland The design of a machicoulis sometimes called drop box originates from the Middle East where they are usually found on defensive walls The original Arabian design is rather small and similar to the domestic wooden balcony known as mashrabiya 10 In contrast to the domestic balcony for purposes of defense the Middle East version of the machicoulis prominently features a wide opening at the bottom The opening allows the dropping of hot water and other material intended to cause harm to the enemy below The otherwise enclosed opening adapted from that of a closed balcony also provides cover from enemy attack while using it 10 11 Machicolations were more common in French castles than English where they were usually restricted to the gateway as in the 13th century Conwy Castle 12 One of the first examples of machicolation that still exists in northern France is at the Chateau de Farcheville built in 1291 outside Paris 13 The origins are from Syria and the Crusaders brought their design to Europe 14 Machicolations were a common feature in many towers in Rhodes which were built by the Knights Hospitallers 8 After the Knights were given rule over Malta machicolations also became a common feature on rural buildings until the 18th century Buildings with machicolations include Cavalier Tower Gauci Tower the Captain s Tower Birkirkara Tower and Tal Wejter Tower 9 A hoarding is a similar structure made of wood usually temporarily constructed in the event of a siege Advantages of machicolations over wooden hoardings include the greater strength and fire resistance of stone 15 Post medieval use Edit Decorative machicolation at Penrhyn Castle in north Wales which was built between 1822 and 1837 Machicolation was later used for decorative effect with spaces between the corbels but without the openings and subsequently became a characteristic of many non military buildings 16 a See also EditArrow slit Bartizan Battlement Breteche Defensive walls Jettying Murder hole Hoarding castle Notes Edit For example Scottish baronial architecture from the 16th century onwards and Neo Gothic buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries References Edit Darke Diana 2020 Stealing from the Saracens How Islamic Architecture Shaped Europe Oxford University Press p 265 ISBN 9781787383050 Medieval castle SIEGES in depth Jaccarini C J 2002 Il Muxrabija Wirt l Izlam fil Gzejjer Maltin PDF L Imnara in Maltese Ghaqda Maltija tal Folklor 7 1 17 22 Azzopardi Joe 15 November 2015 A survey of the Maltese Muxrabijiet PDF Vigilo DIN L ART oELWA National Trust of Malta Archived from the original PDF on 2015 11 15 Greimas 1987 A J Dictionnaire de l ancien francais Paris ISBN 2 03 340 302 5 Hoad 1986 p Villena 1988 p a b Spiteri Stephen C 2008 Naxxar and its Fortifications PDF Arx Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification 1 4 13 Archived from the original PDF on 21 May 2017 a b Spiteri Stephen C May 2008 A Medieval tower at Qrendi PDF Arx Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification 6 59 Archived from the original PDF on 26 November 2016 a b Jaccarini C J 2002 Il Muxrabija wirt l Izlam fil Gzejjer Maltin PDF L Imnara in Maltese Rivista tal Għaqda Maltija tal Folklor 7 1 19 Archived from the original PDF on 18 April 2016 Azzopardi Joe April 2012 A Survey of the Maltese Muxrabijiet PDF Vigilo Valletta Din l Art Ħelwa 41 26 33 ISSN 1026 132X Archived from the original PDF on 15 November 2015 Brown 2004 p 66 Mesqui Jean 1997 Chateaux forts et fortifications en France in French Paris Flammarion p 493 ISBN 2 08 012271 1 Cathcart King David James 1988 The Castle in England and Wales an Interpretative History London Croom Helm pp 84 87 ISBN 0 918400 08 2 Toy Sidney 2006 History of Fortification from 3000 BC to AD 1700 Pen and Sword p 103 ISBN 9781844153589 1st ed 1955 2nd ed 1966 The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology Vol 1 Oxford University Press 2010 p 344 ISBN 9780195334036 Bibliography EditBrown R Allen 2004 1954 Allen Brown s English Castles Woodbridge The Boydell Press ISBN 1 84383 069 8 Hoad T F 1986 English Etymology Oxford University Press Villena Leonardo 1988 Sobre las defensas verticales en Espana tipologia y terminlogia comparadas In Andres Bazzana ed Guerre fortification et habitat dans le monde mediterraneen au Moyen Age colloque Casa de Velazquez ISBN 978 84 86839 02 4 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Machicolations Look up machicolation in Wiktionary the free dictionary Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture machicolation Machicolation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Machicolation amp oldid 1119917758, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
