15thc perception on swallowtail merlons?

[Koen G]

Hmm, you are right Marco, it should be consistent with the title.

Here's an idea: maybe I should add castles which (almost) certainly had swallowtail merlons before 1450 to a separate layer?

[MarcoP]

Here's an idea: maybe I should add castles which (almost) certainly had swallowtail merlons before 1450 to a separate layer?

Thank you Koen, this sounds like an excellent idea!
The Fenis Castle that David mentioned above can enter the list (You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.).

EDIT: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. as well.
I suggest always adding the location when castles are mentioned: there are dozens of "castelli viscontei" / "castelli scaligeri" etc.

[Koen G]

Okay, I'll get on it. Castell l'Arquato posted by Nablator above seems like a safe bet as well given the political connection. The Greek castle he posted seems less self evident, though it would be an interesting entry. You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

[MarcoP]

This inscription from Castell'Arquato (mentioned by Nablator) appears to be authentic.
It is dated MCCLXXXXII (1292) and the last line mentions "De Spectinis", the ruling family at the time.

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It is the stone on the right in this picture:
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EDIT: complete transcription You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.

MCCLXXXXII HOC FACTUM FUIT TEMPORE REGIMINIS [DOMINI] TEDIXII DE SPECTINIS POTESTATIS CASTRI ARCUATI

1292 - This was made at the time of the government of Tedixius (Tedesio) De Spectinis, ruler of Castell'Arquato

[Koen G]

Interesting, this would be the earliest clearly dated example.

What's up with this "Ghibelline corridor" here? It must have something to do with the position of the castles in the mountains.

   

[MarcoP]

Bourtzi fortress, Karystos, Euboea, Greece (ca. 1350)
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As far as I can tell, this is reliable. These fortifications were built by the Venetian Republic, possibly a little later than 1350.

This part of the fortress clearly has never been restored and a single merlon still stands at the right of the octagonal tower:
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I think that the better-preserved buildings also are in their original state:
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Since Venice controlled so many Greek islands, I guess that we will find many similar buildings there.

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Interesting, this would be the earliest clearly dated example.

What's up with this "Ghibelline corridor" here? It must have something to do with the position of the castles in the mountains.

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Basically, the main route between Italy and Northern Europe.

[MarcoP]

The fortifications of Rhodes have swallow-tail merlons. JKP and Aga discussed them in the past and (if I understand correctly) they both appear to be sceptical. In my opinion, the available evidence suggests that they should be accepted.

The merlons are reproduced in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. and in You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., so they are not modern fakes.

According to wikipedia, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. in the engraving was "built between 1396 and 1421"; the nearby wall might have been built at a different date, if so, I believe it is more likely to be earlier than later. I doubt that merlons would have had any defensive use in a military building in the second half of the XV Century, when the use of cannons was widespread.

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. was "built between 1441 and 1442" and shows similar merlons.

[Koen G]

I will add them. We can allow for some speculation now that we separate the strict "depiction" layer from the building layer.

[MarcoP]

Rimini, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view., dated 1446.

Better photograph at You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view..

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[Aga Tentakulus]

It is interesting that the castles of Fenis, Bellinzona and Locarno have the same architectural style. They also have about the same age.
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