Plural of courtyard; open areas surrounded by walls or buildings, typically found in the center of castles, palaces, or large houses.
From Middle English 'court' (enclosed space) + 'yard' (enclosed ground), literally describing outdoor spaces enclosed by the buildings of a court or estate.
Medieval courtyards were the hearts of castles—they provided the only open space for training soldiers, hanging laundry, and gathering during attacks, making them crucial for both daily life and defense.
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