Soldier Course Parapet Detail

A soldier course parapet is an architectural detail found in historical castle walls. It refers to an architectural feature where a single layer of stones was placed on the inner side of a castle’s wall. This served to give those inside a measure of protection by providing an additional layer of defence should the outer wall of a castle be breached. The design of a soldier course parapet is rectangular in shape, with a distinct overhanging lip, which was intended to deflect any form of attack from the outside. They were common in medieval and renaissance period fortifications and also appeared in the palatial castles of the baroque renaissance period. The design of a soldier course parapet adds aesthetic beauty to castle walls as well as offering a measure of protection. The detail typically consists of several rows of the same size stones, usually rectangular, arranged in a canelling pattern with an undercut at the base. This was designed to provide strength and make it more difficult for assailants to knock down castle walls. The stones can be faced with plaster or lime wash, but often are left exposed in their natural state to allow the beauty of the stone work to be seen. Soldier course parapet details can still be seen in many of the castles and fortifications around Europe, providing a reminder of how military architecture was used to defend against attack in centuries gone by. It is also a reminder of how important the safety and defence of the people living within castle walls was, and a testament to their ingenuity in protecting their homes.