Borreby is a fortificated castle from the 1500s, built upon a double moat. The portcullis was originally placed in the main building's entrance tower. Borreby represents the transitional period from the medieval knight's castle till the Renaissance castle of the squire.
Borrebys' portcullis was originally placed in the main building's entrance tower. This iron gate with spikes at the bottom fortified the entrance by many medieval castles, acting as a last line of defence during time of attack or siege. It could be raised or lowered quickly by means of chains or ropes. When the iron gate was down it was almost impossible for the enemy to get inside.
There would often be two portcullis to the main entrance. The one closest to the inside would be closed first, and then the one further away. This was used to trap the enemy - and often burning wood or hot oil would be poured onto them from the roof. Archers could shoot arrows at the trapped enemies.
But there were many death traps. There were often arrow slits in the sides of the walls for archers and crossbowmen to eliminate the besieging army. The outer walls had machicolation (scalding holes) and plenty of embrasures, and the enemy's flank could be shot at from the towers.
photo july 2007: grethe bachmann
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