Castles Of England Scotland And Wales

Presents original maps, plans and archive illustrations alongside hundreds of photographs, showing ruins and surviving castles in their glory. This work includes descriptions of hundreds of special buildings, from remote ruins in isolated settings to imposing piles in towns and cities.

England, Scotland, and Wales together possess one of the largest and most impressive collections of castles anywhere in the world. Their names--Kenilworth, Edinburgh, Bodiam, Stirling, Tintagel--conjure images of romance, battles and intrigue. Trace each stage of the castles' development from Norman times through Plantagenet and Edwardian expansion, including their role in strengthening the coastline during the Tudor age, the appalling devastation suffered in the Civil War, and the gradual decay of the castle--and its renaissance.

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.

This is the ultimate book for days out with the family, visiting Britain and Ireland's greatest architectural and historical treasures. Many of the castles featured offer a wealth of things to see and do, from their beautiful settings and manicured gardens, to museum collections and re-enactment events. Not only does the book give you essential information for visiting the castles, but it also provides background information on the roles castles played and other interesting facts to make your visit more enjoyable. This book is beautifully illustrated with photographs of the castles.

Britain has a unique castle heritage, and "The Great Castles of Britain and Ireland" is a celebration of 50 beautiful, unique and fascinating castles. With stunning photography by Stephen Whitehorne, the bookms engaging commentary guides the reader around the interior and exterior of each castle: architecture, furnishings, artefacts and gardens. The text is peppered with fascinating snippets of historical information, including details of past residents and military action. Included are staples such as Caerphilly, Warwick and Dover, and also Pembroke, Bamburgh and Rochester among many others. This book is a true celebration and a real treat for anyone who is fascinated by castles. The engaging text is complemented by beautiful pictures which entice the reader and bring alive the unique and very different charms of each castle covered.Lise Hull is a freelance writer, castelologist and historian. After many years in the US Navy, she gained masterms degrees in Heritage Studies (from University of Wales, Aberystwyth) and Historic Preservation (from Indiana University). She runs Castles Unlimited, which focuses on the study and promotion of British castles. Lise Hull is the author of "Countries of the World: Scotland" (Times Media) and a forthcoming book on the castles of Glamorgan.Stephen Whitehorne is one of Scotlandms foremost landscape, architectual and travel photographers. He is the photographer and author to several walking guides to Scotland, including" Exploring the Highlands of Scotland" and" Walking the Scottish Highland Round" (both Cassell), as well as photographer on many other guides His work has been widely exhibited in the UK. Stephen also teaches photography, and is basednear Edinburgh.