Description
Book SynopsisThe widespread construction of castles in Britain began as soon as Duke William of Normandy set foot on the shores of England in 1066. This illustrated book presents a cultural and historical tour of Britain's medieval castles. It will interest students researching architecture, the Middle Ages, or military history, as well as general readers.
Trade ReviewThis book is an overview of castles in the British Isles, almost exclusively in England and Wales, and is lucidly written by an unabashed amateur enthusiast. It seeks to be analytical, addressing offensive, defensive, and residential functions, and rightly emphasizing the sheer prestige of castles, subdividing chapters into topics such as gates, bridges, and towers. * Choice *
The founder of Castles Unlimited, which promotes their appreciation and preservation, Hull has written two previous surveys of castles, but here she focuses not so much on particular castles as on features of castles built in Britain from the 11th to the 15th centuries. She explains how the architectural elements and construction techniques allowed the castles to serve simultaneously as offensive weapons, defensive strongholds, residences, and status symbols. Raglan Castle in Wales is her detailed case study. * Reference & Research Book News/Art Book News Annual 2007 *
Table of ContentsIllustrations Acknowledgments Introduction: What Is a Castle? chapter 1 Castles as Offensive Weapons chapter 2 Castles as Defensive Strongholds chapter 3 Castles as Residences chapter 4 Castles as Status Symbols chapter 5 Raglan Castle: A Properly Fortified Military Residence chapter 6 What Is a Castle? Revisited Epilogue Notes Glossary Bibliography Index
