Machicolation

Machicolation

A machicolation is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones and lethally hot liquids and substances could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall. The design was developed in the Middle Ages when the Norman crusaders returned. A machicolated battlement projects outwards from the supporting wall in order to facilitate this. 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 of stone battlements, as well the fireproof properties.

The word derives from the Old French word "machicoller", derived from Old Provençal "machacol", and ultimately from Latin "*maccāre" (to crush) + "collum" (the neck). A variant of machicolations set in the ceiling of a passage was also colloquially known as murder-holes.

Post-medieval use

Machicolation was later used for decorative effect with spaces between the corbels but without the openings, and subsequently became a characteristic of the many non-military buildings, for example, Scottish baronial style, and Gothic Revival architecture of the 19th and 20th Centuries.

References

*cite book
last = Mesqui
first = Jean
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Chateaux-forts et fortifications en France
publisher = Flammarion
date = 1997
location = Paris
pages = 493 pp
url =
doi =
isbn = 2080122711

ee also

*Castle
*Arrow slit
*Murder-hole

External links

* [http://www.pitt.edu/~medart/menuglossary/machicolation.htm Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture: machicolation.]
* [http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/machic.html Machicolation]


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  • Machicolation — Mach i*co*la tion, n. [Cf. LL. machicolamentum, machacolladura, F. m[^a]chicolis, m[^a]checoulis; perh. fr. F. m[ e]che match, combustible matter + OF. coulis, couleis, flowing, fr. OF. & F. couler to flow. Cf. {Match} for making fire, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • machicolation — [mə chik΄ə lā′shən] n. [< MACHICOLATE] 1. an opening in the floor of a projecting gallery or parapet, between the supports or corbels, or in the roof over an entrance, through which hot liquids, heavy stones, etc. could be dropped by the… …   English World dictionary

  • machicolation — noun Etymology: Medieval Latin machicolare to furnish with machicolations, from Middle French machicoller, from machicoleis machicolation, from macher to crush + col neck, from Latin collum more at collar Date: 1787 1. a. an opening between the… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • machicolation — /meuh chik euh lay sheuhn/, n. Archit. 1. an opening in the floor between the corbels of a projecting gallery or parapet, as on a wall or in the vault of a passage, through which missiles, molten lead, etc., might be cast upon an enemy beneath. 2 …   Universalium

  • machicolation — noun a) An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the …   Wiktionary

  • Machicolation — An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the vault of a portal, through which molten lead, hot oil, stones, etc. could be dropped on attackers below. This is an 18c word formed from Machecole …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • machicolation —  Gallery at the top of a castle tower …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • machicolation — mÉ™ tʃɪkÉ™leɪʃn n. opening in a projecting parapet or in the floor of a gallery or roof through which missiles could be dropped on attackers …   English contemporary dictionary

  • machicolation —    In the architecture of castles, an opening in the floor of an overhanging gallery through which defenders dropped stones and boiling liquids on attackers. (pr. muh chi keh lay shun) …   Glossary of Art Terms

  • machicolation — noun (in medieval fortifications) an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting structure, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers. ↘a projecting structure containing machicolations …   English new terms dictionary

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