The castle was a special kind of manor holding. Usually castles could only be built by the approval of the king, who wanted to ensure that any good fortified castle was in the hands of someone he could trust. In times of anarchy there was generally an outbreak of illegal castle building and fortification.
Castles were introduced into England by the Norman in the 11th century, and more than 1500 were built throughout England and Wales during the following 400 years. From the first wooden tower perched on a sturdy mound of earth, constructed in a few weeks, the castle developed into the powerful and sophisticated structure of stone we recognise today, which took decades to complete.
A few castles are fotunate and still have families living in them still, while others stand empty and alone, bravely bearing the scars of war and time. This short guide gives an overview of the types of castles that were constructed, together with numerous stunning photographs, this makes for very interesting reading.
Contents:
The Conqueror's Castles
Building in Stone
Castles at War
The Medieval Fortress
Knights and Chivalry
An Englishman's Home
Coastal Forts
Other Interesting Castles
