Sometimes a specific window cannot be restored because the structure is too fragile. Therefore, as in the right photo, the window is bricked in to help retain the integrity of the entire wall.
The piece on the right is authentic as witnessed by the wear on the design. Sandstone is particularly suseptible to weathering. This piece may have actually been reinserted into the wall as there is evidence of fairly new mortar work.
Below, another view of the larger feet for the floor joists. Also note the fireplace, and how the flue extends up along the floor above, for a vent along the flue, but separated by brickwork from the smoke, would have allowed rising heat to radiate into the rooms above.
Left, a view of some of the unique brickwork over the windows. Also note the benches that allow those seated to face one another. While the walls were thick to protect from attack, the designers of castles were more than eager to provide asthetic qualities to improve the lifestyle of the residents. This feature is actually very common in most castles I've seen.
Right, a piece of authentic door molding. The steps beneath are fairly recent additions. Like the benches above, the moldings show similarity in the design in other castles, indicating a certain level of continuity in design and construction from one area to the other. This would be based on what engineers had learned as "best practices" from the masters who trained them.
This is a portion of a stretch of out building that ran along the south wall towards the gate. This would have served as the gatehouse and location of the guard. They probably had living quarters here as well.
The main gate with the remains of the curtain wall beyond. The gate was built into a portion of sandstone to ease in construction and make use of the local terrain.
Above, looking at the north walls of the main residential palas through the area of the outer ward. The remains of the curtain wall with the beak of the keep is to te center and left.
Left, a reconstructed section of a guard outpost to help protect the rock area that formed part of the defenses for the outer ward.
