The Old Monk and the Staircase - Guess Why??
Construction of a stronger and more massive bell tower for the monastery to replace the one destroyed during the last civil strife with a neighboring lord was well underway when the old Monk visited the site. The Abbot showed the Monk the drawings and model for the three-bell tower. The Monk was impressed until he stood where the bell chamber would be and saw the spiral staircase in this medieval bell tower running the wrong direction (counterclockwise).
"The staircase direction must be changed," said the Old Monk. The Abbot looked at the staircase and agreed. Why?
~Photo credit - This famous photo is of supermodel Lily Cole posing on a decaying ornate spiral staircase in an abandoned palace in India by famous British fashion photographer Tim Walker in his book. More details ...http://www.timwalkerphotography.com/
Spiral staircases in medieval castles, towers and Keeps were run clockwise as all knights used to be right-handed. If an intruding army were to climb the stairs they would not be able to use their right hand.They normaly hold the sword using right hand and because of the difficulties of climbing the stairs it gives an advantage to the defenders. Many of the orders of clergy had military training in order to defend monasteries and Abbeys during the middle ages.
ReplyDeleteLeft-handed knights wouldn't have any trouble.But left-handed people would never become knights as it was assumed that they were descendants of the devil.