derEselausErgste

Autumn starts, so it is time to go on. I spent some of the hot summer evenings to think about the use of the Owl Tower. As one of the oldest buildings it had been taken from the front wall last wintertime, and so I decided to integrate him into a new building, a combination of Guild Hall and Stewards Residence. The guy on the ground? No idea what he is doing there... As You can see, its the first time I added some tiles to the ground, but of course most of the ground wont look as stylish as it looks here. The guild spent a lot of money for a stylish look, and I am not sure if they will be happy with fish being sold here...?! The back side of the Guild Hall, the Stewards Residence. Quite a tiny building. A view from above, showing the existing modules. Left in front the main gate, the Owl Tower with its sorrounding buildings in the center. On the left back we can see the inner castle. Lookingthrough the gate, we see the corner tower of the Stewards residence, and the still "naked" walls of the inner castle in the background. The inner castle looks quite big, compared to the rest of the modules. The open Space at 11 a clock will get a stable and some walls. The center will take the market place, with tudors and some workshops surrounding to the east and south. At 6 a clock a small gate will give farmers access to the market. I think, 80% of the building structures are completed. On we go...

Another holiday, another update The keep is nearly done. I will have to rework the different roofs - of cause the roof to the moat is still unfinished. And the roof of the small side tower is ridiculous, looks lioke an exploding mushroom... The style is a little bit different from the rest, because the keep is the oldest part of the inner castle and the whole settlement. And it is the strongest part of the battlements. The back side of the inner castle. Still a lot to do, but at least better than the front side.

Under the early reign of King John (John "Lackland", brother of Richard I. "Lionheart"), the shire reefs were instructed to ensure that all highways in the vicinity of an archery were kept free of undergrowth and bushes, to secure travellers from ambushes. Of course we are not talking about the range of a typical long bow. The long bow with its effective range of 200-250yds saw its main use not before the beginning of the 14th century (although the Welsh utilized it successfully since the 11th century). King Johns decree dated from the early 1200ths, and we can estimate the said bow ment to be a typical "flat" or hunting bow. These bows had been effective up to 50yds (45m), and in general we can expect that the typical range of the clearing will have been some 25yds in maximum. Complementary it shoud be noticed, that the idea of Robin Hood and his merry men shooting on Nottinghams soldiers amidst the forest with a long bow is wrong for sure. The long bow needed space to handle, something that was hard to find in old Englands forests.

Wonderful. Not a building with a landscape attacched, but a landscape with some building. Thats how it looks like in reality. Of cause You would not allow to grow woods nearby the wall, but keep a distance of at least an archery, esp. arround the gate. Nevermind, it looks great. My personal favourite are the tendrils on the left side of the wall

It goes on and on.

Glad You like it. Today it's Sunday, und Sunday means it is time for the next update. I had to get an idea about the "keeps" dimensions, and so I decided to go on with the inner walls section. Thats the one that will rise up from the moat - the not yet existing moat. The idea for the construction has been taken from Soccerkid6's "Militia Mishaps"-MoC - as so many other ideas. The two protruding piers will take the substructure of the rack crossing the moat. A first trial run. The whole section has to be adjusted as it is "flying" at the moment, but more or less it fits into. A shot from above. For the first time its possible to get a kind of idea about the whole inner castle, at least about its dimensions.

Tataa! Thanks to BardDandelion and his Forefather's Eve-MOC, the chapels ridge turret looks much better now - thanks a lot!!! Hope You will love these too - as my prgress this weekend is...manageable. Extended the rear battlements and started with what I will call a keep, even if it's none. Just a kind of "last shelter", separated from the inner castle by a narrow moat, filled with muddy water, crossed by a small rack. Presently just ideas, as I didnt managed to build more than a part of the outer walls... Thats all for this weekend. More to come P.S. Building rocks is a pain in the...You know what it is...

First: it looks great. Nice little graveyard, lots of diffferent textures, nice colours! Love it... Second: here we have the ridge turret the Donkey has been looking for...desperately! Fits perfectly in style and size...okay, the cross at the top could be a little bit smaller. If You don't mind, the Donkey will "borrow" this design for his own chapel - and of cause he will praise You again and again!!!

Thanks! I would like to update more often, but time is scarce. Thank You. The brick supply...dont remind me of that. The standards are the biggest problem - presently I am getting short on LBG 1x2 and 1x4 bricks (both quite expensive currently, and I dont have a clue why), and 45° red slopes are almost done. I dont like the look of the chapels ridge turret. Too big for the small chapel, and it looks much too "modern" and not detailed enough. I will replace it by something neat, but to be honest I dont have an idea yet. So hints are welcome

The regular update - whatever "regular" means The roof of the battlement has been reworked, and I think it looks better now: In the background the ridge turret of the small chapel I added today. I think, there will be a real church within the castle walls, but You can not expect the earl to visit divine service together with merchants, craftsmen and peasants, so a small chapel within the inenr castle makes sense. A look from above. Not a lot of space inside, but its still a small castle. The ground has to be tiled, but thats something for the very end. Two thirds of the inner castle have been done. Still missing are some estate builings, rooms for the garrison and of cause the keep.

Thanks a lot. Being in Berlin right now, I am far away from the floodings, and I do not know somebody who is affected, but floods are near to biblical, and so many people have suffered - its a real disaster!

The inner castle has grown a bit... The big arched window marks the dining hall behind. The window frames have to be changed to LBG, as I had not a sinngle grey one within my stocks. The tower got a new top - its the third or even fourth right now, but this time i will stick to it. The left corner is still in work (as the whole castle is)... Thats the corner we are talking about. It houses the Earls bedroom - if he is present, what he normally is not. Remember, its just a small castle, not the residence of a great lord. The inner yard. I should install some lighting within the dining hall, as the glas windows look quite nice if lighted. I wanted to get the roof not as boring as the rest, so I thought it would be a nice idea to have a chance to sweep the chimneys...Chimchimeny ...no sweepers in the middle ages? I dont care... A first idea for some roofed battlements. The posts seem to be okay, but the roof itself is not. So I will have to make some more tries. An assortment of Avalonian militia, loitering around the western castel face. Just to get an idea about the dimensions. The militia is to few to attack the castle with any prospect of success, and to bad to defend it successfully. But it looks terrific... 50% of the inner castle should be done so far. It gets more and more difficult to make proper pictures. When I'm done with it, I will look for a professional fotographer with a professional studio to get some nice pictures - in the meantime we will stick to what I call a picture - so sad

If ever there was a need to proof LBG does NOT have to look boring, here it is! Extremely impressive, extremely realistic and extremely cool. Of course the details are stunning, and of course the interiour height of the building makes a difference - but best of all, the lighting beats everything I have ever seen. Can't tell how exited I am about.

Next site: the inner castle. The more I am going on with, the more chaotic it looks. And honestly, I still have no idea how it will look in the end... First we have to explore the cellar level. Wooden stairs lead down, and will lead to some mysterious doors - and the most mysterious is the locked iron grill - whats behind? It's not a dungeon, but perhaps a secret passage to the outside? We will see. The 2-winged door leads down to the gate. In the upper floor (not existing yet) the castellan finds his rooms, and to the right the kitchen begins. A first try with one of the big glas windows, that will light the dining hall above the kitchen. Not really bad, but I am not glad about the link between the big arch and the window. Any idea will be welcome A look from above. The girders will support the dining halls floor. Just wood, nothing special. Remember, this is just a small castle, not the earls residence, so everything is small, simple and pragmatic. Looks as fragile as it is. Unfortunately the tracery is seven studs wide, but the stained glas behind needs eight studs. So I have to jumper the whole front to fit above the arches below...

Just a first try. I wanted this tower to look sturdy and solid instead of tall - and at least a bit different from the rest. To be honest, I am not dissatisfied - but the slate shingles cost a hell of cheese...I will have to order new ones...

Thanks a lot. That’s exactly my intention, This new tower will work as a bastion, guarding three sides. The owl tower will be linked to the stewards house, so it will not be standing solitaire. When this is done, I will go on with the inner castle - hopefully I will have an idea how it should look like, because presently I have no clue.

As I mentioned, the old Pallas - the building I started with in the very beginning - also needs a rework. The style in total is to soft, the look is to clean, and the proportions are mostly unjoyjous. I wanted something to fit to the guards house, as both will form a small square. Here is the result: https://www.office.com/launch/word?auth=2 The small side tower will offer access to the outer wall to come, as the old Pallas is definitely the part of the castle with the worst defensive potential. I also decided for a major change: the tall owl tower in the middle of the castle front will be moved to the castle inside. This is just for the optics: presently the interiour buildings would be much smaller than the sorrounding walls and buildings. Moving the owl tower will offer a much more interesting silhouette, as well as it will subdivide the interiour into two parts. I am still thinking where to locate the tower exactly, but more or less it should look like this: The owl tower will be replaced by battlements and a much smaller tower, covering the approach to the main gate. I just started with, perhaps You can imagine how it could look at the end: Also this new tower offers a door to the outer wall...or will offer as soon as this wall will be finished. P.S. making bad photos helps a lot to identify hidden corners with work still to do

I‘m in a hurry, so just in a few words: awesome building, awesomely built!

You remember the module I called the "Guardshouse" (page 2 & 3)? I did not like it. To fat and clumsy, to much different roofs, without any elegance - just awfull. The small side tower - just ridiculous. So I decided I had to change the whole thing. Well, not the whole. I saved the front and the tower - the rest is completely new. Not perfect, thats for sure. But at least a lot better than the former design. Hopefully. The hole right from the big tower is still WiP, here the peasants gate will follow up. Not as heavily fortified as the main gate, this will work with everydays traffic. And the small tower will guard a second, simple gate, where customs will be collected. And as I still have time to spend, I think I will also make some changes to the "old Pallas"...lets see. And as always: no details yet...will they ever follow...?

I promised another update - here it is... The gatehouse is done...more or less: Whats next? I would have liked to build some Tudors - the castle needs some civil housing inside the walls. But the inner castle waits, and there is no sense starting a new site, as long as an old one is still pending.And as I am not yet through with the basic question: how will it look like??? - perhaps I can work on details. Todays work: the kitchen ...of course still WiP... The kitchen maid also serves as the castles ghost - at nighttime...she is well known as the "Heavenly blue Lady"... What will happen to the chopped-of-fishhead? Just ask the rat thats lurking in the shades... Now the kitchen ist near to be finished, it will be easier to go on with the inner castle itself...next weekend. Please stay tuned

Just awesome...!!! Nice details, inside and outside - and lots of action on a quite small base... The woodwork loocks very authentic!

Many thanks. The bridge...next site that needs my attention... I would suggest "Giant noob that never gets done"...would fit perfectly

Dear Visitors, time for an update - even if its not a lot. I had to decide where to go on. As the inner castle is really a lot of work to be done, I thought it would be a nice idea to finish the gate house. The gate itself is done, but the side building (the "magazine") hasnt been more than just the foundations, so I started last weekend... But first some changes on the small tower - still not exactly what I want, but far better than before I will have to re-think again - but for the moment it should work. Now, lets go on with the magazine. Lots of woodden stair and platforms, so there is not a lot space left for storage - but minifigs are not that hungry and demanding (hopefully). The small place behind the gate needs to be modelized, but that will be something for the very end...around 2023?! And YES - I still have no place for taking photos - I'm really sorry The outer walls. Just started with the roof - this has been the result of the passed weekend. And as the weather presently is all but nice, I decided to go on yesterday. So thats what was added yestersay: Looks quite massive. The dormers seem to be a bit to large, i hope this will change a bit when the roof ridge will be done, otherwise...I dont have a clue what I will do otherwise The back - or the inner front - is still a scenery, but tomorrow evening it should be done. And I will be back soon - promise!

Goodness - 6 months gone and this lousy thread is still allive Thanks a lot for having a look Ladies and Gents! I beg Your pardon for being lost for so long. I started a new job in the first week of April, and I have been working since that without just one hour of spare time to think about my castle. But this will change. Presently I am moving to Berlin, an when this will be finished somewhere in the middle of October, there will be time and space for this project to go ahead. Especially space, as I will get some extra 25 square meters just for my Lego "business". I am sooo excited I will go on with the inner castle, thats for sure. This will have to be finished before I start something new - or before I will finish with the other sites that are still waiting for completion. If I stick to my plans, the inner castle can be finished somewhere around the end of January (can't You see I am crossing fingers?!). For this I will have to stock up supplies! I am short of nearly any kind of light bluish grey bricks (as always), and esp. on tiles for the floors. What I am not short of are minifigs, and perhaps I will go on with this thread by showing just some parts of the army the donkey is going to raise. Just to start over as soon as possible. Many thanks to all of You for visiting - and of course for the commendations! The donkey is back and right on the starting blocks. You remember this song? "Happy days are here againThe skies above are clear againSo let's sing a song of cheer againHappy days are here again."

Impressive - esp. the vault!!! Can You tell how it is made?