A castle dating from the 14th century, which consisted of four wings surrounding a central courtyard. The outer face was reasonably defensible, the corner towers were substantial, while the interior faces were almost totally domestic in character. The quadrangular castle combined display, comfort and security and was the dominant form of English fortified dwelling from the middle 14th century until the time they merged with the great undefended quadrangular houses of Queen Elizabeth 1st's reign. See courtyard castle.
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