Concentric castle
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A concentric castle (or multiple castle) is a castle within a castle, with two or more concentric rings of curtain walls and a keep in the centre. Generally, the outermost walls are lowest and the height of the walls increases towards the centre. The walls would include towers and bastions and would usually be crenellated. Gates would usually be protected by barbicans.
Concentric castles were introduced into Europe in the late 12th century following the Crusades and were designed increase the defensive capabilities of the castle: defenders on the higher walls towards the centre could fire arrows at the enemy over the lower outer defences, and, should the enemy capture the outer defences, they would face another line of defence.
The Krak des Chevaliers Crusader castle in Syria is the typical example of this type of fortification.