How is a Fort different than a Castle?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "How is a Fort Different than a Castle?"

Podcast Information

• Title: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
• Episode Title: How is a Fort Different than a Castle?
• Release Date: July 16, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of "Who Smarted?", the trusty narrator teams up with Big Bertha, an animated talking cannon, to delve into the fascinating world of forts and castles. Aimed at curious young minds, the episode combines humor with educational content, making complex historical and architectural concepts accessible and entertaining for kids, parents, and educators alike.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with the trusty narrator attending a historic war reenactment at an old military fort. The vibrant description sets the stage for an immersive learning experience.

• [00:08] Big Bertha: "The name's Big Bertha."
• [01:06] Trusty Narrator: "I'd love to. That was so cool, Big Bertha. Boy, oh boy, do I love forts."

Defining Forts vs. Castles

The core of the discussion revolves around distinguishing forts from castles, exploring their purposes, structures, and historical significance.

Etymology and Purpose

• [04:06] Big Bertha: "To answer your question, trustee, the first thing you have to understand is that fort is a shortened form of another word."
• [04:14] Trusty Narrator: Presents a multiple-choice question about the origin of the word "fort."
• [04:25] Big Bertha: "The answer is C: fortress. And a fortress is a defensive wall or series of walls built to protect a place from invaders."

Key Differences

• [04:54] Big Bertha: "Exactly. And while many early civilizations were contained within fortresses as a way to protect them and their inhabitants, the main difference between a fort and a castle is that forts are not residences. Forts are used for both battles and war, not as homes."

Historical Context and Usage

The episode details the historical uses of forts, especially in the United States during Western expansion and the Civil War.

• [05:17] Trusty Narrator: "Smartypants, how many forts do you think there are right now in the USA? Around 100, around 300, or around 500?"
• [05:42] Big Bertha: "Early forts, like medieval forts, were fairly simple... Many had towers for greater visibility and little slits in the walls from which people could shoot arrows down at the invaders."

Evolution of Fort Construction

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to how advancements in weaponry, particularly the invention of cannons, necessitated changes in fort design.

Introduction of Cannons

• [07:37] Trusty Narrator: "Are you thinking of a cannon? If so, you're right."
• [07:46] Big Bertha: "Not to brag, but the cannon was a total game changer for forts."

Impact on Fort Architecture

• [09:04] Big Bertha: "Anyhow, when the cannon became the weapon of choice for taking down forts en route to conquering territory, forts had to be built differently to adapt..."
• [10:02] Big Bertha: "Yep. Starforts, also known as bastion forts, became the name of the game."
• [10:10] Big Bertha: "The star shape made sure there were no blind spots, and they were built atop low, sloping hills that would absorb the impact of cannon fire."

Notable Features in Forts

The discussion highlights specific architectural features that enhanced the defensive capabilities of forts.

• Machicolations
  • [06:12] Big Bertha: "A machicolation is an opening in the floor of a part of the fort that juts out beyond the walls of the fort..."
  • [06:35] Big Bertha: "A machicolation is used to pour down sand, rocks, boiling water, or even boiling oil on unsuspecting invaders."

Famous Forts Around the World

The episode explores several renowned forts, shedding light on their historical importance and unique characteristics.

The Alamo

• [15:09] Big Bertha: "Do you remember the Alamo?"
• [15:20] Big Bertha: "The Alamo is located in San Antonio, Texas... On February 23, 1836, the famous battle of the Alamo took place..."
• [16:10] Big Bertha: "The Alamo became a rallying cry as Texas fought and won its independence from Mexico."

Marud Hinhira, India

• [17:14] Big Bertha: "One of my personal faves is the Marud Hinhira in India... It remains the only unconquered fort on the whole west coast of India."

The Tower of London

• [17:46] Big Bertha: "The Tower of London has been many things throughout its history... The last time it was used as a fortification was as late as the 20th century during World War II."

Conclusion and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, the trusty narrator reflects on the knowledge gained, and Big Bertha hints at continuing adventures.

• [18:48] Trusty Narrator: "Wow. I have learned so much about forts today. Thanks, Big Bertha."
• [19:09] Trusty Narrator: "A big shout out to superfan Glenn and his smarty family in Slidell, Louisiana."

Notable Quotes

• Big Bertha on Forts vs. Castles:

  • [04:06] "To answer your question, trustee, the first thing you have to understand is that fort is a shortened form of another word."

• On Machicolations:

  • [06:35] "A machicolation is used to pour down sand, rocks, boiling water, or even boiling oil on unsuspecting invaders."

• Discussing the Alamo:

  • [15:20] "On February 23, 1836, the famous battle of the Alamo took place between a small band of Texan volunteers and the Mexican army."

Educational Insights

• Adaptation to Technology: The introduction of cannons revolutionized fort construction, leading to the development of star-shaped forts to mitigate the destructive power of artillery.

• Historical Significance: Forts like the Alamo and the Tower of London are not only architectural marvels but also pivotal sites in their respective historical narratives.

• Architectural Features: Elements like machicolations demonstrate the ingenuity in fort design, showcasing methods employed to enhance defense mechanisms despite technological limitations of the time.

Conclusion

This episode of "Who Smarted?" masterfully blends storytelling with educational content, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of forts, their evolution, and their role in history. Through the dynamic interaction between the trusty narrator and Big Bertha, complex topics are broken down into engaging and digestible segments, fostering a love for learning in young audiences.

Transcript

[Trusty Narrator]

And now it's time for who's Smarted?

[Big Bertha]

Psst.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hey, smarty pants. Right now, I'm at a historic war reenactment in an old military fort. It's so cool. There's people dressed as soldiers, archers firing arrows from towers, and there's even cannons. In fact, I'm standing right next to an active cannon.

[Big Bertha]

You might want to back up a bit there, pal. I'm coming in hot.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wouldn't you know it? It's an active talking cannon.

[Big Bertha]

The name's Big Bertha.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hi, Big Bertha. I'm the trusty narrator.

[Big Bertha]

Wonderful. I love names with adjectives in them. No, Trusty. Trust me, you're gonna wanna stand back. This is gonna be a big one. And that's the end of the reenactment. I am pooped. Gonna wheel myself over into the shade and have a refreshing gazpacho. Come join me.

[Trusty Narrator]

I'd love to. That was so cool, Big Bertha. Boy, oh boy, do I love forts.

[Big Bertha]

Yep, this fort is my place of work and my home. I probably need to get out more, but who really wants a cannon randomly showing up at a party?

[Trusty Narrator]

Good point, bb. But hey, forts are pretty impressive with all the towers and parapets and, you know, other fortish stuff. Say, Big Bertha, what actually makes a fort a fort? And how is a fort different than, say, a castle? And do they still build forts today? And what about the famous forts, Smartypants? Can you think of any famous forts?

[Big Bertha]

Wowzers. Lots of questions. Guess I can kiss my gazpacho goodbye. All right, back out we go. Time to learn all about forts. Wheel me this way, will ya?

[Trusty Narrator]

With pleasure, smarty pants. Looks like we're in for another big whiff of science and history on who smarted.

[Theme Song Voice]

Who'S smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smart?

[Trusty Narrator]

And this episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Summer is the perfect time to finally take a few hours and launch that business. Seriously, if you've been sitting on an idea, Squarespace makes it feel not just doable, but exciting. I used it to build a site for one of our projects. And what really surprised me was Blueprint, their AI powered site builder. You type in a few details about what you're creating, and boom, you've got a beautiful personalized website layout in minutes. Plus, if you're offering services like coaching or teaching or consulting, Squarespace has tools built right in online. Payments, scheduling, even branded invoices. You can literally go from idea to income without ever leaving the platform. So if you've been waiting for the right moment, this is it. No more if only I knew how to build a site, or if I only had the time. Now you've got both, thanks to Squarespace, and at a price that's right for any small business. So head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Wow. I just put my ear to the wall of the fort, and I could practically hear the history.

[Big Bertha]

Um, you might want to have that checked out.

[Trusty Narrator]

Okay. Okay. You know what I mean. But speaking of walls, what makes a fort a fort and not just a bunch of walls?

[Theme Song Voice]

Hey, is this guy gonna just keep on slapping me all day?

[Trusty Narrator]

Whoops. Sorry.

[Big Bertha]

Fort wall.

[Trusty Narrator]

I gotta say, it is not easy navigating a world where everything can talk.

[Big Bertha]

To answer your question, trustee, the first thing you have to understand is that fort is a shortened form of another word.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ooh, smarty pants. See if you can guess what that is. Is fort, short for a fortitude, B Fortnite, or C fortress.

[Big Bertha]

The answer is C fortress. And a fortress is a defensive wall or series of walls built to protect a place from invaders. No, not space invaders. Human invaders. Forts usually involve a military component with weapons and people strategically positioned to both defend against and launch an attack.

[Trusty Narrator]

Gotcha. So a fort or fortress is a protected spot from which you can attack.

[Big Bertha]

Exactly. And while many early civilizations were contained within fortresses as a way to protect them and their inhabitants, the main difference between a fort and a castle is that forts are not residences. Forts are used for both battles and war, not as homes. In the United States, forts were also used a lot during the Western expansion and the Civil War.

[Trusty Narrator]

Smartypants, how many forts do you think there are right now in the USA? Around 100, around 300, or around 500? The answer is between 450 to 500. They are used as military bases, and every state has at least one. Whoa. So how do forts work, Bertha? How are they built and what's inside of them?

[Big Bertha]

Well, early forts, like medieval forts, were fairly simple. They were built from stone and sometimes wood and were built tall. They were used to house soldiers and store weapons and ammunition. Many had towers for greater visibility and little slits in the walls from which people could shoot arrows down at the invaders. They had other clever features built in, too, to help with attacks.

[Trusty Narrator]

Like what?

[Big Bertha]

My favorite feature of medieval forts is the Machicolation.

[Trusty Narrator]

The machica what? Smartypants, what do you think a machicolation is? Is it A, a special kind of battering ram, B, an opening in the floor, or C, a walkway covered in sharp spikes?

[Big Bertha]

If you said an opening in the floor, you're right.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. I definitely thought it would be one of the other scarier ones.

[Big Bertha]

Oh, you haven't heard what it is yet, trusty. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

[Trusty Narrator]

Uh, what is it?

[Big Bertha]

A machicolation is an opening in the floor of a part of the fort that juts out beyond the walls of the fort, sorta like a platform. The opening is used to pour down sand, rocks, boiling water, or even boiling oil on unsuspecting invaders.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ouch. Suddenly a battering ram doesn't sound so bad.

[Big Bertha]

Yeah, folks had to get creative in those early forts, since they didn't have much in the way of advanced weaponry. There were arrows, of course, and also catapults. Aside from that, they just had to hope nobody would climb over the walls or break through the front door. And things were pretty much unchanged until something new came along.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hmm, smarty pants. What new form of weaponry was a game changer for forts?

[Big Bertha]

I'll give you a hint. I'm very close to this answer.

[Trusty Narrator]

So, what are you thinking of right now, smarties? Are you thinking of a cannon? If so, you're right.

[Big Bertha]

Not to brag, but the cannon was a total game changer for forts.

[Trusty Narrator]

That's right. But how so?

[Big Bertha]

Well, after gunpowder was invented, cannons became the most commonly used weapon of the day and were great at obliterating forts. Cannons were first invented in the 12th century. A cannon like me packs quite a punch. And early forts were simply not constructed in a way that could handle the power of a cannon.

[Trusty Narrator]

Whoa, easy there, Bertha.

[Big Bertha]

Sorry, I get excited talking about my ancestors.

[Trusty Narrator]

It's cool. Say, what's actually fired out of a cannon anyway, smarty pants? Do you know I heard a lot of you saying a cannonball, but is that accurate?

[Big Bertha]

Yes, sort of. The most common ammunition fired from a cannon were spherical projectiles, usually made of stone or iron. These projectiles did a lot of damage when being propelled by powerful gunpowder.

[Trusty Narrator]

And these spherical projectiles were known as cannonballs, right?

[Big Bertha]

Not quite. Their official name is round shot, but essentially, round shot is what you think of when you picture a cannonball.

[Trusty Narrator]

Gotcha. Looks like we all learned a new word just now.

[Big Bertha]

Anywho, when the cannon became the weapon of choice for taking down forts en route to conquering territory, forts had to be built differently to adapt the Tall stone walls of most forts were pretty thin, and cannon fire would topple them fairly easily.

[Trusty Narrator]

I see and hear. So what changed in fort construction?

[Big Bertha]

The main thing is that forts had to be built much lower, with the walls being sunk into ditches. This would help absorb the shock of a cannon attack. But that alone wasn't enough. The shape of forts also changed. Literally. Forts had to be built in a very specific shape to withstand the blows of cannon attacks.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hey, smartypants, what new shape do you think forts had to be built in? Was it A, a triangle, B, a pyramid, or C, a star? If you set a star shape. You got it.

[Big Bertha]

Yep. Starforts, also known as bastion forts, became the name of the game.

[Trusty Narrator]

But what made a star shape so great?

[Big Bertha]

Well, the star shape made sure there were no blind spots, and they were built atop low, sloping hills that would absorb the impact of cannon fire. Then, on the points of the star shape, these things called ravelins were built. A ravelin is a triangular fortification that would further help absorb the shock of a cannon attack. Not to mention, they made the forts look really pretty.

[Trusty Narrator]

Pretty. That's interesting. Hey, smarty pants, after the episode, have an adult help you do an image search of a starfort or bastion fort to see what Big Bertha is describing. She's not lying. They really are quite breathtaking. So what came after the star forts?

[Big Bertha]

Well, here's the thing about forts, Trusty narrator. There's a reason they aren't still being built. Every time there were advances in weaponry and warfare, forts had to keep up until eventually they couldn't with faster and more powerful weapons of war, particularly aerial warfare. That means attacking from the air. Forts became very easy to Destroy. From the 20th century onward. They basically became obsolete.

[Trusty Narrator]

That makes sense. Kind of sad, though. Like you said, some of them really are beautiful pieces of architecture.

[Big Bertha]

Oh, don't you worry. Lots of forts are still standing. All over the world, in fact. And many of them are important historic sites. Some are even very famous.

[Trusty Narrator]

No doubt, smarty pants. We'll hear all about the most famous forts in the world right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Hey, guys. Trusty here. You know one of my favorite things about summer? Backyard hangs. Hanging out with friends, having burgers, playing Frisbee. It's the best. And that's when our outdoor space becomes the main event. So, this year, I finally upgraded my setup. Thank you, Wayfair. I got this awesome outdoor dining table that seats eight. Eight. It came fast. It looked perfect right out of the box. And now it's where we eat, play games, and, you know, just hang out. I also grabbed a set of string lights and a giant umbrella, so now it feels like my own little vacation spot without leaving the yard. And you know how much I love not leaving the yard. Wayfair seriously has everything. Grills, games, planters, even trampolines. And the shipping? Free. Always free. Even on the big stuff. So I got that table in under a week and I didn't pay a dime for the shipping. So if your summer plans involve kicking back outback, head to Wayfair.com to shop outdoor furniture, grills, lawn games, and way more for way less. That's wayfair.com w a y f a I r.com Wayfair Every style, every home hey guys, it's Trusty. Summer break is here and while the kids are thrilled, a lot of parents are quietly wondering, how do we keep their brains from going totally mush? That's where IXL comes in. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into your homeschool routine or your summer rhythm. Whether your child is catching up, staying sharp, or getting a head start, IXL makes learning feel natural and fun, not like more school. What I love most is that it's flexible and personalized. Whether your kid is brushing up on third grade math or diving into middle school reading, IXL meets them right where they are and lets them move at their own pace. It also saves you time. Everything's organized by grade and subject with real time feedback, progress tracking, and step by step video tutorials that explain mistakes without judgment, just growth. So make an impact on your child's learning even when school's not in session. Get IXL now and who smarted listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL when you sign up today at ixl.com smarted that's ixl.com smarted hi smarty pants. It's the trusty narrator, the host of who Smarted First, a big welcome to all our new listeners. Welcome to the Smarty family. Here's a nice five star review from one of you. Hi Trusty. This is my new favorite podcast. I listen in the car with my sister and even before bed, I'm telling all my friends too. Sean P. Ohio Thanks Sean, and that's a great idea. So smartyfam, would you mind doing me a favor? Tell one friend or another parent or an educator today about WhoSmarted. Because the only thing that's better than listening to WhoSmarted is listening to who Smart Smarted with a friend and we're back, smarty pants. So, Big Bertha, what are some famous forts and what makes them so famous?

[Big Bertha]

Well, let's start things off with an American classic. Do you remember the Alamo?

[Trusty Narrator]

Of course I remember the Alamo. But why should we remember the Alamo?

[Big Bertha]

The Alamo is located in San Antonio, Texas. It was built in the 1700s and was originally a Roman Catholic mission. But even before it was a fortress, walls were erected around the mission to protect it as local attacks from nearby tribes had began happening. Eventually, it was abandoned and didn't become known as the alamo until the 1800s.

[Trusty Narrator]

Smarty pants, true or false? The name Alamo comes from cottonwood trees that grew nearby, which in Spanish are called Alamo. The answer is true.

[Big Bertha]

And once the Alamo became the Alamo, it was further fortified by me. Well, not me specifically, but cannons.

[Trusty Narrator]

This is all very interesting, Bertha, but what makes the Alamo famous?

[Big Bertha]

Cool. Your gunpowder, trustee. I'm getting to it. On February 23, 1836, the famous battle of the Alamo took place between a small band of Texan volunteers and the Mexican army. It's been reported that between 1,800 and 6,000 Mexican soldiers laid siege on just 200 or so defenders. For 13 days, they battled on until the Mexican army finally busted their way in and laid siege on the Alamo and annihilated everyone inside.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, wow. I'm guessing a lot of the Alamo was destroyed.

[Big Bertha]

You got that right. But remember, the Alamo became a rallying cry as Texas fought and won its independence from Mexico. Later on in the 1800s, during the Mexican American War, the Alamo was repaired, parts were rebuilt, and it was used as military offices and storerooms. Today, the original church from the Alamo still stands and belongs to the people of Texas.

[Trusty Narrator]

Nice. Any other famous forts you're fond of, Bertha?

[Big Bertha]

Oh, sure. One of my personal faves is the Marud Hinhira in India.

[Trusty Narrator]

Ooh, that sounds interesting. What's so special about this fort?

[Big Bertha]

Well, first of all, it's an entire fortified island. It was built in the 17th century, and unlike a lot of forts, it's never been defeated. And plenty of folks have tried. The British, the Dutch, and the Portuguese, to be exact. But no, none of them could take it down. It remains the only unconquered fort on the whole west coast of India.

[Trusty Narrator]

Impressive.

[Big Bertha]

Then, of course, there's one of the most famous forts of all. The Tower of London.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wait, the Tower of London is a fort?

[Big Bertha]

Sure. In fact, the Tower of London has been many things throughout its history. And Fort is definitely one of them. It was built in 1078 originally to be used as a castle and residence. But because there was so much unrest during its long history, it was fortified many times over. It had moats, arrow slits, and a bell tower to sound the alarm in case of an attack.

[Trusty Narrator]

And was it attacked? What do you think, smarty pants? True or false? The Tower of London has never been attacked. The answer is false.

[Big Bertha]

It's been attacked lots of times. The last time it was used as a fortification was as late as the 20th century during World War II. Today, it still stands loud and proud as one of the biggest tourist attractions in England.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. I have learned so much about forts today. Thanks, Big Bertha.

[Big Bertha]

My pleasure, trustee. Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for the next military reenactment. And I've got some round shots that aren't going to fire themselves. Remember the Alamo?

[Trusty Narrator]

And I have to remember to bring earplugs next time. Loud A big shout out to superfan Glenn and his smarty family in Slidell, Louisiana. Thanks so much for listening to who Smarted. We're so glad you love love learning about all the fun topics. And we're thrilled your teacher parent loves listening to and even uses our episodes in their classroom. Now that's what we call textbook smarting. This episode, Forts, was written by Phil the Fortress of Solitude Jeremy and voiced by Lara Rudout Rondinella, Adam Alamo Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by J. Josh Hightower Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Cannonball Kamaski. The theme song is by Brian Blockhouse Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.