Ask Difference

Donjon vs. Keep — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Donjon originally denoted the main tower in a medieval castle, focusing on defense and residence, while a keep served as the fortified stronghold, often incorporating the donjon.
Donjon vs. Keep — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Donjon and Keep

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Key Differences

The term 'donjon' is derived from the French language, specifically referring to the central, most secure tower of a medieval castle. This structure was primarily intended for the lord's residence and as a last resort of defense during sieges. On the other hand, the 'keep' is an English term that generally describes the main tower or fortress within a castle, emphasizing its role as a stronghold where people could retreat to safety in times of attack.
Historically, donjons were often built with massive stone walls and were designed to be impenetrable. These structures typically contained living quarters, storage for weapons and supplies, and sometimes a dungeon. Whereas the keep, while also built robustly, served multiple functions including administrative centers, residences, and military bases, reflecting its role as the nerve center of a castle.
In architectural terms, donjons were usually tall and narrow, optimizing the defensive capabilities and the ability to watch over surrounding areas. In contrast, keeps could vary significantly in shape and size but were generally larger to accommodate various functions and often formed the core of castle defenses.
During the medieval period, the evolution of military architecture saw the transition from donjons being the main feature of castles to more complex designs where the keep became more prominent. Keeps became more integrated into the castle's defensive walls and complex, whereas donjons remained as distinct, standalone structures.
In modern times, the distinction has somewhat blurred in popular usage, but traditionally, donjons were more focused on defense and residential functions within their thick, tall walls. On the other hand, keeps, especially in larger castles, evolved into more elaborate structures that could host larger garrisons, hold court, and manage estates.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Main tower, focus on defense and residence
Fortified stronghold of a castle

Origin of Term

French
English

Primary Function

Defensive stronghold and lord’s residence
Defensive, administrative, and residential center

Architectural Features

Tall, narrow, impenetrable
Larger, integrated into castle defenses

Historical Development

Transitioned out as main feature in favor of more complex designs
Evolved to accommodate larger functions and complex designs

Compare with Definitions

Donjon

A principal tower in a medieval castle, used as a last defensive stronghold.
The enemy forces could not breach the donjon, which served as a refuge for the castle's defenders.

Keep

Often the largest and most defended part of the castle.
During the siege, the inhabitants retreated to the keep, which was the most fortified area.

Donjon

A stronghold within the castle, often used for imprisonment.
The dungeon within the donjon was reputed to be escape-proof.

Keep

The main tower or fortification within a medieval castle.
The keep was strategically positioned to control the key approaches to the castle.

Donjon

Architecturally, the tallest and most robustly built part of the castle.
The donjon towered over the surrounding landscape, providing a strategic view.

Keep

A stronghold that served as the administrative center.
The keep housed the main council hall where strategic decisions were made.

Donjon

Historically, the term has been synonymous with 'keep' but emphasizes more on defense and residence.
In medieval histories, the donjon is often highlighted as the last stand during sieges.

Keep

In some cases, synonymous with 'donjon', but generally more integrated into the castle's layout.
The castle's keep was surrounded by various smaller fortifications.

Donjon

The main residence of the lord within the castle.
The donjon, apart from its defensive purpose, contained luxurious quarters for the lord and his family.

Keep

Evolved into a complex structure with multiple uses during the medieval period.
The keep's design changed over centuries to accommodate growing military needs.

Donjon

The fortified main tower of a castle; a keep.

Keep

A keep (from the Middle English kype) is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the castle fall to an adversary.

Donjon

The fortified tower of a motte or early castle; a keep.

Keep

To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.

Donjon

The chief tower, also called the keep; a massive tower in ancient castles, forming the strongest part of the fortifications. See Illust. of Castle.

Keep

To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.

Donjon

The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

Keep

To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).

Keep

To support (a mistress or lover) financially.

Keep

To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.

Keep

To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.

Keep

To raise
Keep chickens.

Keep

To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.

Keep

To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.

Keep

To preserve (food).

Keep

To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.

Keep

To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.

Keep

To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.

Keep

To detain
Was kept after school.

Keep

To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.

Keep

To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.

Keep

To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.

Keep

To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.

Keep

To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.

Keep

To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.

Keep

To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.

Keep

To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.

Keep

To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.

Keep

To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.

Keep

To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.

Keep

Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.

Keep

The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.

Keep

The stronghold of a castle.

Keep

A jail.

Keep

To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession

Keep

To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise

Keep

(transitive) To hold the status of something.

Keep

To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.

Keep

To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.

Keep

(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.

Keep

(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.

Keep

(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.

Keep

To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.

Keep

(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.

Keep

To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.

Keep

(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.

Keep

To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).

Keep

To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.

Keep

To have habitually in stock for sale.

Keep

(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.

Keep

(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.

Keep

To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.

Keep

To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.

Keep

(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.

Keep

(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.

Keep

To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.

Keep

To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.

Keep

To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.

Keep

(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.

Keep

To visit (a place) often; to frequent.

Keep

To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.

Keep

(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.

Keep

The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.

Keep

(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.

Keep

The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep

Keep

(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.

Keep

(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.

Keep

To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].

Keep

To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.

Keep

To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.

Keep

To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.

Keep

To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.

Keep

To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.

Keep

To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.

Keep

To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.

Keep

To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.

Keep

To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.

Keep

To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.

Keep

To have habitually in stock for sale.

Keep

To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.

Keep

To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.

Keep

To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.

Keep

To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.

Keep

To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.

Keep

To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.

Keep

To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.

Keep

To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.

Keep

To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.

Keep

The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.

Keep

The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.

Keep

The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.

Keep

That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.

Keep

That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.

Keep

A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.

Keep

The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood

Keep

The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

Keep

A cell in a jail or prison

Keep

Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes

Keep

Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight

Keep

Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married

Keep

Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles

Keep

Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract

Keep

Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees

Keep

Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone

Keep

Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes

Keep

Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders

Keep

Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could

Keep

Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep

Keep

Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time

Keep

Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur

Keep

Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool

Keep

Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you

Keep

Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees

Keep

Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger

Keep

Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?

Keep

Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator

Keep

Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips

Keep

Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school

Keep

Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh

Common Curiosities

What role did the keep play in a castle?

The keep served multiple roles including defense, administration, and as a residence.

What architectural features distinguish a donjon from other castle structures?

Donjons are typically taller, narrower, and built with very thick walls for enhanced defense.

What materials were typically used in building a donjon?

Stone was the primary material, chosen for its durability and defensive capabilities.

How is a keep different from a donjon?

A keep generally refers to the main fortified structure within a castle, serving as a defensive point and administrative center, whereas a donjon specifically denotes the main tower focused on defense and residence.

Can donjon and keep be used interchangeably?

Historically, the terms have specific meanings, but in modern usage, they are often used interchangeably.

How did the function of keeps evolve over time?

Keeps evolved from basic fortifications to complex centers of administration and military strategy.

Are there famous examples of donjons still existing?

Yes, the Tower of London's White Tower is a famous example of a donjon.

What is the main purpose of a donjon?

The donjon served as a defensive stronghold and residence within a medieval castle.

Was the donjon always part of the castle’s initial design?

Yes, in many medieval castles, the donjon was central to the initial design, focusing on the lord's safety and command.

Did the design of donjons vary across different regions?

Yes, donjon designs varied significantly across Europe, influenced by local military needs and architectural styles.

How did the location of a keep within a castle differ from that of a donjon?

Keeps were often more centrally located within the castle’s defenses, while donjons might be positioned strategically for the best defensive view.

What was the significance of the keep during sieges?

During sieges, the keep was often the last line of defense, offering the safest refuge.

How did the role of a donjon differ in peacetime versus wartime?

In peacetime, the donjon often housed the lord and his family, while in wartime, it became the defensive stronghold.

Why did some castles have both a donjon and a keep?

In some cases, castles were expanded over time, adding a keep to accommodate growing functions while retaining the original donjon for traditional reasons.

What historical events led to the decline of the use of donjons?

The development of artillery and changes in military tactics reduced the practicality of tall, narrow towers like donjons in favor of broader, more adaptable keeps.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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