Castle (Period)

A castle is a mighty edifice, a fortress or stronghold, generally made of stone.  It is an ancient charge, found in the canting arms of the Kings of Castile, c.1244 [Asp2 213].  In early heraldry, no distinction was drawn between the castle and the tower; Society heraldry distinguishes between the two forms for the artist’s sake, but grants no difference.

The typical castle is of two towers, joined by an embattled wall with a gate; a “castle triple-towered” has a third tower issuant from the joining wall.  The gate is usually shown closed, but this is an artistic detail; some early Society blazons use the term “friendly castle” to denote one with an open gate.  (The term is no longer used; the gate is now left to the artist.)

The castle is sometimes blazoned a “fortress” or a “citadel”, especially for canting purposes.  For related charges, see bridge.

The Baron of Ben Dunfirth bears:  Barry wavy argent and sable, a castle within a laurel wreath Or.

David of Castlewhyte bears:  Per chevron gules and sable, three castles argent.

Harold Breakstone bears:  Or, a castle triple-towered sable, pennons flotant to sinister vert.