I learned a new word the other day - “Quatrefoil”. According to Wikipedia, in architecture, a quatrefoil is a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially-overlapping circles of the same diameter.

Clifford’s Tower in York, England has a keep that is a quatrefoil plan.

Clifford’s Tower is the remains of a 13th century keep. The keep was two stories high with a central stone pillar that supported the first floor. Some traces of the pillar can still be seen. There is a square turret on the south side between two of the lobes that was used to protect the entrance. There are defensive turrets between the other lobes. The walls of the keep still stand, but the roof and internal floor has gone.

See the Clifford’s Tower page for the story.

Tags: Clifford's Tower, england, York Castle

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 4:43 am and is filed under English Castles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.