Obs. In 4–6 somer-, 5 -yr, 6 sommer-. [? f. SUMMER sb.2 + CASTLE sb.]
1. A movable tower used in sieges. (Also SUMMER-TOWER.)
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3033. The kynge than to assawte he sembles his knyghtez, With somercastelle and sowe appone sere halfes.
1408. Clifton, trans. Vegetius’ De Re Milit., IV. viii. (Digby MS. 233), lf. 219 b. Ȝif þyn enemye sette to þy walles a somercastel oþere a bastyle þat be muche herre þan þe walles.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 464/1. Somyr castell, fala.
2. An elevated structure on a ship. (Also SUMMER-HUTCH.)
1346. Acc. Exch., K. R., Bundle 25. No. 7. m. 2 (P.R.O.). In ij haucers emptis … pro j castello vocato somercastel eadem naui.
1496. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 176. Forcastell the overloppe the somercastell the dekke ovyr the somercastell & the pope.
c. 1500. Three Kings’ Sons, 44. They that were in the somer Castells & toppis of the shippis, that might easely se alle them that were a londe.
1530. Palsgr., 272/2. Sommer castell of a shyppe.
