Britain's Medieval Castles

Lise E. Hull

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Hardback

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English

Praeger Publishing
30 December 2005

Castles & fortifications; History; British & Irish history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; Medieval European archaeology

The widespread construction of castles in Britain began as soon as Duke William of Normandy set foot on the shores of southern England in 1066. The castles that were constructed in the ensuing centuries, and whose ruins still scatter the British countryside today, provide us with an enduring record of the needs and ambitions of the times. But the essence of the medieval castle—a structure that is equal parts military, residential, and symbolic—reveals itself not only through the grandeur of such architectural masterpieces as the Tower of London, and the imposing nature of such royal residences as Windsor, but also in the aging masonry carvings, enduring battlements, and more modest earthen ramparts that have survived alongside them. Through a feature-by-feature account of the architectural elements and techniques used in constructing the medieval castle, author Lise Hull allows the multiple functions of these multifarious forms to shine through, and in so doing, lends a new vitality to the thousand faces that the medieval world assumed to discourage its enemies, inspire its friends, and control its subjects.

This compelling investigation takes a unique look at each of the medieval castle's main roles: as an offensive presentation and defensive fortification, as a residential and administrative building, and as a symbolic structure demonstrating the status of its owner. Each chapter focuses on one specific role and uses concrete architectural features to demonstrate that aspect of the medieval castle in Britain. A wealth of illustrations is also provided, as is a glossary explaining the distinct parts of the castle and their functions. This book should be of interest to students researching architecture, the Middle Ages, or military history, as well as general readers interested in castles or considering a trip to Britain to observe some of these magnificent sites themselves.

By: Lise E. Hull
Imprint: Praeger Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 254mm, Width: 178mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 709g
ISBN: 9780275984144
ISBN 10: 0275984141
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 30 December 2005
Recommended Age: From 7 to 17 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

LISE E. HULL is an independent researcher who has spent twenty years researching Britain's castles. She is the founder of Castles Unlimited, an organization dedicated to promoting appreciation and preservation of these masterpieces of military engineering.

Reviews for Britain's Medieval Castles

This 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 *