Castles of Britain and Ireland by Plantagenet Somerset Fry

Every aspect of castles and castle life

Castles of Britain and Ireland aims to bring to life every aspect of castles and castle life: why and how they were built; the weapons that were used; their social life in ordinary and extraordinary times; their provisioning; their maintenance; and their changing role in a continually evolving political climate.

• what is a castle?
• timber and earth castles in Britain and Ireland
• stone castles in Britain and Ireland
• building castles
• attack and defence
• gunpowder and firearms
• castles in Wales
• castles in Scotland
• border castles
• castles in Ireland
• life in a medieval castle
• later castles
• the end of the castle
• introduction to the gazetteer
• gazetteer - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales.

What is a castle ?

A castle is a fortified for defence against an enemy. The term is most often applied to a small self-contained fortress, usually of the Middle Ages, though traditionally in Britain it has also referred to prehistoric earthworks. Castles were built not only as a defensive measure, and offensive weapon, but also as a home. Castles were made by their owners for specific purposes, or evolved into new purposes over time.

Medieval castle

During the Middle Ages, in particular the High Middle Ages, lords and kings often built castles for offensive reasons: territorial expansion and control of a region. A castle was a stronghold from which a lord or baron could control surrounding territory.

Castles of Britain and Ireland

Castles of Britain and Ireland by Plantagenet Somerset Fry
David & Charles
ISBN: 0715312553

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