Bastille Research Paper

Words: 457
Pages: 2

The Bastille was built to protect the eastern approach to the city of Paris from the English threat in the Hundred Years' War. Initial work began in 1357, but the main construction occurred from 1370 onwards, creating a strong fortress with eight towers that protected the strategic gateway of the Porte Saint-Antoine on the eastern edge of Paris. The prison could only hold about 50 prisoners and was not as bad most of the prisons in Paris. But secrecy about the prison and its prisoners gave it an evil reputation. The Bastille was built in a rectangle shape, 220 feet long and 90 feet wide. It had eight towers and walls 80 feet high, with a wide moat going around the outside. There were two courtyards inside and houses against the walls. Towers