A unique and fascinating series of short stories taking place over five different eras in a English castles past.

This original and pioneering book examines the role of the castle in the Norman conquest of England and in the subsequent administration of the country. The castle is seen primarily as an instrument of peaceful administration which rarely had a garrison and was more often where the sheriff kept his files and employed his secretariat. In most cases the military significance of the castle was minimal, and only a very few ever saw military action. For the first time, the medieval castle in England is seen in a new light which will attract the general reader of history and archaeology as much as the specialist in economic and social history.

The only investigation ever undertaken into the building of the first pre-Conquest Norman castle in England

Medieval castles have traditionally been examined as feats of military engineering & tools of feudal control. This book presents a different perspective, by exploring the castle as a cultural reflection of the society that produced it, seen through art & literature.

Originally published in 1988, The Castles in England and Wales is a comprehensive treatment of the archaeology of the castles in England and Wales. The books looks at how following the Norman Conquest, one of the most characteristic structures of the English landscape, the castle, was used to control and survey the population. In its simplest definition a castle is a fortified habitation, however this book looks at the many uses of castles, from their most primitive kind, intended only for periodic use, or as magnificent decoration, such as Caernarvon and other Welsh castles of Edward I. It is essential reading for all archaeologists and historians alike.

'Castle' is a wide-ranging and original history of some of the most magnificent buildings in Britain. It explores many of the country's most famous and best-loved castles, as well as some little-known national treasures.

This fascinating study of medieval warfare examines the vital role of castles during the English civil wars of the 15th century. The Wars of the Roses comprise one of the most fascinating periods in medieval history. Much has been written about the leading personalities, bitter dynastic rivalries, political intrigues, and the rapid change of fortune on the battlefields of England and Wales. However, there is one aspect that has been often overlooked, the role of castles in the conflict. Dan Spencer’s original study traces the use of castles from the outbreak of civil war in the 1450s during the reign of Henry VI to the triumph of Henry VII some thirty years later. Using a wide range of narrative, architectural, financial, and administrative sources, Spencer sheds new light on the place of castles within the conflict, demonstrating their importance as strategic and logistical centers, bases for marshaling troops, and as fortresses.