Castle Terminology: Finials

A finial is a slender piece of carved stone often used to decorate the top of castle towers and walls. They are largely decorative, serving no military purpose and are generally a feature of castles in the late medieval period. A good example of this feature is the finial below (the carved human figure) found on the top of the Marten's Tower at Chepstow Castle in southeast Wales. Back to Glossary of Castle Terms

Home | Main Menu | Castle Index | Historical Essays | Recommended Castles | What's New | Links

Copyright © 2009 by the Castles of Wales Website