skip to main page content :: Town & Regional Planning Home > Glossary Home > C >
Crenellation
- same as battlements.
Traditionally seen as being defensive, recent research suggests that "a licence
to crenelate" may have been granted more for heraldic reasons, as a mark of grace and favour. They can also be
found on churches and collegiate buildings.
Where they were defensive rather than ornamental, the merlons are
often twice the width of the crenels.