Castles in Context: Power, Symbolism and Landscape, 1066 to 1500Windgather Press, 2005 - 178 pages Castle studies have been transformed in recent years with a movement away from the traditional interpretation of castles as static military structures towards a wider view of castles as aesthetic symbols of power, with a more complicated relationship with the landscape. Supported by numerous colour photographs of the most `tangible' remains of the Middle Ages, this clearly written and very accessible study makes the most current ideas about the role of the castle available to a wider and more general readership. Robert Liddiard discusses the history of castle building before and after the Norman Conquest, considering the Norman and medieval definition of the castle, and he reassesses the military defensive capabilities of castles, demolishing the idea that they were built in response to military policy. Instead, they proved a very effective means for aristocrats to display their status. Liddiard evaluates the role of the castle in warfare and the extent to which sieges played a part in conflicts before turning his attention to the varied role of the castle in the landscape (and in the lives of those who lived in and around it) and its relationship to its environment, arguing that the aesthetic setting of many castles was not a happy accident. Throughout, the study is supported by numerous case studies which examine the archaeological, architectural and historical evidence for numerous castles. |
Common terms and phrases
activity Anglo-Norman appear approach Archaeological Architecture aristocratic arrangement attacks Brown building built castle-building Castles in Context changes chapter Chronicle church Conquest construction Coulson deer defence designed landscapes difficult donjon early East Edward effect England English entering evidence example existing fact Figure forces fortifications fourteenth function garden garrison gate hall Henry History idea important intended John keep kind King known land later London lordly lords major meaning medieval Middle Ages military moat motte needs noble Norfolk Norman North Notes original Oxford park particular period political possible Power Press probably raised remains represented residence role royal seems seen settlement siege simply social society status structures Studies suggested surrender surrounded Symbolism and Landscape took tower town twelfth century visitor Wales walls warfare Welsh Woodbridge
References to this book
Castles from the Air: An Aerial Portrait of Britain's Finest Castles Paul Johnson No preview available - 2006 |