What is a drawbridge? A drawbridge is the bridge over the moat surrounding a castle and which could be lifted up in times of trouble.

Drawbridge

A drawbridge over a moat to give a castle added protection from attack.

A drawbridge was named because one end of it could be drawn up if needed. The deck of the bridge is pivoted about one end. To lift the other end, a pulling force has to be applied. That is done by using a capstan on a wheel attached to a drum. As the capstan is turned, it turns the drum, which pulls in a cable attached to the bridge.

The point at which the pulling takes place has to be high up on the walls, while it is more convenient to have the drum nearer the ground. So a pulley system was set into the walls, so that the chains or rope could run over the pulley high on the walls.

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