The notched walls at the top of a castle or fortress that provided protection and allowed defenders to shoot arrows at attackers.
From Old French 'bataillement,' derived from 'bataille' meaning battle. The structure evolved during medieval times as a practical defensive feature on fortifications.
These weren't just decorative—the gaps (called crenels) let archers fire safely while the solid parts (merlons) protected them. If you've seen pictures of castles, you've probably spotted their distinctive jagged outline!
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