I seem to remember that in Ireland they had tall towers attached to the monasteries that the monks would seek refuge in when the raiders, Viking ones, not the Oakland type, came ashore to plunder.  So I&#39;d say they were sanctuaries of some kind.<br />
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I&#39;ll wait to see if I&#39;m correct before I post another question.<br />
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By thee way, Keith and Rita, the only Royal Palace in the U.S. is the Iolani Palace in Honolulu.  You can see my picture of it at http://community.webshots.com/photo/97518845/97521329iRWXvQ