murder hole

See also: murder-hole and Murder Hole

English

Murder holes at Bodiam Castle

Alternative forms

• murder-hole

Noun

murder hole (plural murder holes)

1. (historical) A slit or hole above the entrance to a fortification, thought to provide access for defenders to kill invaders.
   • 1997, John Kirwan, Kilkenny: studies in honour of Margaret M. Phelan, page 41:

     The ground floor entrance, a gothic doorway, is in the east wall and gives access to a small vestibule with a murder hole. The stairs on the left leads up to a short landing, over which is a second smaller murder hole.

   • 2006, Lise Hull, Britain's Medieval Castles, →ISBN, page 58:

     While tradition and speculation has it that murder holes were commonly used to throw stones and other heavy missiles onto the heads of unsuspecting besiegers, they quite likely originated as devices that allowed defenders to quench the flames of an enemy's fire burning the timber defenses situated within the passage.

   • 2013, Michelle Cooper, A Brief History of Montmaray, →ISBN, page 23:

     She said the nearest she could recall was when one of King Stephen's sentries got drunk on shipwreck brandy and fell through the murder hole, breaking his leg.

2. (historical, rare) A chamber above the entrance to a fortification where defenders hide and shoot at invaders trapped in the entryway below.
   • 1992, Sian E. Rees, A Guide to Ancient and Historic Wales: Dyfed, →ISBN, page 160:

     On the first floor, over the gate passage and tower rooms, was a massive hall, well-appointed despite its having to accommodate the inner portcullis and murder hole, the slots for which may still be seen in the floor.

   • 1998, The parish of Kilkeedy: a local history, →ISBN, page 75:

     Within it a passage with what is described by Westropp as a 'murder hole' on the roof just inside the doorway. This 'murder hole' extends the width of the passage and is covered over by well fitting stone slabs.

   • 2006, Michael Flynn, Eifelheim, →ISBN, page 268:

     The archers on the ramparts, naturally, saw them plain, as did the towermaster in the 'murder hole' above the gate.