12 century shell castle in Minecraft

Inspiration: Restormel castle

Restormel is a 12-century castle in Cornwall. There was a fad in the 12 century to build circular castles, kind of blending the curtain wall and the keep into one large structure. I wondered whether it would look nice in Minecraft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restormel_Castle

Shell castle

The original gate tower of Restormel did not survive (the side structure in the previous picture is a chapel), so I decided to give my castle two towers on each side of the gate. In the hindsight, two high watch towers that far from the main keep do look a bit odd, and I should have probably kept them tucked a bit more snugly into the circle, or go with one squat tower. But other than that, I think it looks defensible.

Another support photo of the actual castle

Shell keeps had various rooms and halls built to the main wall from the inside. There would be guardhouses, the great hall, a kitchen, a chapel, and some guest rooms. Also note how the chapel and the gatehouse are not on the same axis, which I think gives the castle a more organic and natural feel.

In my castle, the main ring consists of 7 interconnected halls; there's also a chapel and the gate hall after the towers that provides a second set of doors to defend if the gate is breached. I also added a well in the center, which should help during long sieges. I am not sure whether Restormel ever had a well in the inner courtyard, but I know that in some radially symmetrical castles wells were placed in the geometrical center of the structure (like in Orford Castle for example). I guess there is some beauty in it, or maybe even some practicality.

The chapel

The owners of the Restormel were Christian, but mine pray to the Sweet Lady of the Pig, who brings luck and health to her people. Saint Wither in the corner is said to protect chicken at night.

Courtyard

In one corner of the inner yard I added a small plot of carrots and wheat, as with a small farm like that you can easily turn your castle into a legal Minecraft village! It does not feel empty that way, and the Master of the Stables is always there to welcome you when you return home. Chunky does not render villagers though.

View from the tower

You can see villagers in this in-game shot. Jon the Farmer and Sven the Librarian just had a baby!

The courtyard at dawn

The smithy

One of the rooms inside the castle. Nether-fires burned the roof several times, so I had to replace this part with stone.