Definitions for "Drawbridge"
Related Terms:
Portcullis, Blockhouse, Belfry, Forebuilding, Turret, Gatehouse, Martello tower, Barbette, Postern, Hoarding, Machicolation, Bulwark, Palisade, Casemate, Stockade, Barbican, Loophole, Bartizan, Embrasure, Escalade, Postern gate, Suspension bridge, Parados, Shell keep, Lunette, Balcony, Gate, Cavalier, Parapet, Conning tower, Bailey, Curtain, Garderobe, Sally port, Terreplein, Brattice, Bastion, Tenaille, Cable-stayed bridge, Rampart, Enceinte, Bulkhead, Wall rail, Allure, Castle, Swing bridge, Breastwork, Wall-walk, Covered way, Crenelation
A bridge of which either the whole or a part is made to be raised up, let down, or drawn or turned aside, to admit or hinder communication at pleasure, as before the gate of a town or castle, or over a navigable river or canal.
A bridge over a moat or ditch that can be drawn back or raised from the inner side.
a large heavy door that lowers across a moat to enter a castle, and raises to block entrance
The moveable section of a wooden bridge or causeway, often over a moat, operated by counterweights to keep an enemy force from the easy approach to the gatehouse.
A movable bridge lifted at one end by chains or ropes either to stop traffic passing over it or to let traffic pass under it. RCHME. Little is known about the bridge between Clifford's Tower and the bailey during the medieval period. A timber drawbridge was built as part of the refortification of York Castle during the English Civil War. more
Everyone knows what a drawbridge is. There were basically three types: (1) a simple sliding platform over the ditch that could be pulled back, (2) a raising bridge pulled up by chains attached to the outer corners, and (3) a bridge with posts reaching out over the top, with the chains hanging vertically from the posts (this had 'leverage' advantages).
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
a bridge over a body of water that opens up to allow boats and ships to pass through
a bridge that can be inclined in order to allow ships to pass, or "drawn"
a bridge that lets friends in, then it goes down
a low bridge designed to move out of the way of canal boat traffic by drawing back into the road to let canal boats pass
A wooden bridge that could be raised and lowered as needed. It spanned the moat and was an important component of the castle gate.
A heavy timber platform built to span a moat between a gatehouse and surrounding land that could be raised when required to block an entrance.
Lifting bridge that could be raised to keep out an enemy.
Bridge linking the entrance door of a Castle with the glacis or the outside, which enabled the moat to be crossed. In time of battle, it could be raised to close off the gate in the Castle wall, forcing the attacking enemy to climb down into the moat and up the otits side, then having to scale the Castle wall itself before gaining access.
A movable bridge; originally moved horizontally like a gangway.
The wooden bridge of a gateway that can be raised or lowered for defence
a bridge across a deep ditch which may be raised to isolate the body of the place from the covered way or other approach.
Pont levis Heavy timber platform built to span a moat between a gate house and surrounding land that could be raised using ropes or chains, to block the entrance, when required. Hemyock Castle is believed to have had a counter-weighted drawbridge, pivoted at the inner end.
A drawbridge is a type of movable bridge typically associated with the entrance of a castle, but the term is often used to describe all different types of movable bridges, like bascule bridges and lift bridges.