Shield wall (castle)

A shield wall, also shield-wall or Schildmauer, refers to the highest and strongest curtain wall, or tower of a castle that defends the only practicable line of approach to a castle built on a mountain, hill or headland.^[1]^[2]^[3] German sources may refer to a shield wall that protects two or more sides as a Hoher Mantel or Mantelmauer, which is variously translated as "mantle-wall",^[4] "mantle wall"^[5] or "high screen-wall".^[6] There is often no clear, definitive distinction between a shield wall and a mantle wall.

^ Cairns 1989, p. 31.
^ Skaarup 2003, p. 203.
^ Taylor 1998, p. 318.
^ Castles of the Western World by Armin Tuulse, p. 86. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013
^ Castle by Christopher Gravett, p. 20. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013
^ Burgen und feste Plätze by K.G. Saur, p. 231. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013

[FOOTNOTECairns198931-1] Cairns 1989, p. 31.

[FOOTNOTESkaarup2003203-2] Skaarup 2003, p. 203.

[FOOTNOTETaylor1998318-3] Taylor 1998, p. 318.

[4] Castles of the Western World by Armin Tuulse, p. 86. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013

[5] Castle by Christopher Gravett, p. 20. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013

[6] Burgen und feste Plätze by K.G. Saur, p. 231. Accessed on 17 Jul 2013

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