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Since the entrance to the castle was likely to be a favourite target for an attacking force, it was vital to fortify it as heavily as possible.
The barbican, which had a drawbridge, reaches out into the dry ditch to give the gatehouse more protection.
Soldiers would be faced with the first iron portcullis and a barrage of crossbow bolts. If somehow the barbican portcullis failed to lower, the attackers would find themselves in a
narrow roofed passage with arrow slits to either side and, worse, murder holes in the ceiling from which stones and missiles would rains down on them. Colossal wooden doors further prevented them.
Those who survived would then have to struggle through raking crossfire up towards the gatehouse itself. Here they would be confronted by yet another
portcullis, another set of murder holes and another door
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