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Castles and Cathedrals is a supplementary text in the Cambridge History Programme for key stage 3. It meets the requirements of supplementary study unit category A, extending the work undertaken in Medieval Britain. This full-colour text looks at the developing architecture of castles and cathedrals - the buildings which symbolise the most powerful forces in the medieval world. Through a combination of primary and secondary sources it examines what these buildings can reveal of the people who inhabited them and of medieval society in general. Castles and Cathedrals features: * enquiry-based units which pose key historical questions * a careful balance of investigation and explanation * overview sections which introduce and consolidate themes and concepts * an Attainment Target matrix for pupils and teachers * activities ranging in difficulty which enable pupils to meet the attainment targets ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book!
This book is an excellent introduction to castles, particularly for young adult readers.The illustrations and photos are excellent, and the captions help readers understand the purposes for building castles.It also shows the evolution of architecture over a period of time, and an introduction to life in a castle.The book also poses questions and excercises that help kids think beyond the information presented. Overall, this is an ideal book ... Read more

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Chapters: Georgian Architecture, Jacobethan, List of Historic Buildings and Architects of the United Kingdom, Bodiam Castle, Palladian Architecture, Gothic Revival Architecture, Aswan Dam, Listed Building, Milford Hall, Portland Stone, Architecture of England, Cambridge Camden Society, Tudor Revival Architecture, Wychnor Hall, Victorian Architecture, Stirling Prize, Pevsner Architectural Guides, Queen Anne Style Architecture, Dissenting Gothic, Architectural Association School of Architecture, Hardwick House, Suffolk, Dutch Barn, Landmark Trust, Great Hall, Groombridge Place, Grundy's Wonders, Sibton Abbey, Fitznells Manor, Breamore House, Tudor Style Architecture, Wool Church, Packington Hall, Rias Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture, Royal Society of Ulster Architects, Department of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, British Construction Industry Awards, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, Chesterton Hall, Henry Wise, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Mews, Kingswood, Dulwich, Regency Architecture, Jan Kip and Leonard Knyff, Catton Hall, Manchester School of Architecture, Conservation Area, Grundy's Northern Pride, President of the Rsua, Granary Buildings, Leeds, Beckley Park, Tin Tabernacle, Broom Hall, Tabernacle, Notting Hill, Swarkestone Hall Pavilion, Croxall Hall, Collegiate Gothic, Architecture for Everyone, Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, Edwardian Architecture, Diocletian Window, Solar, Pulhamite, Peter Blundell Jones, Great Chamber, Cottage Flat, James Pulham and Son, Architecture of the United Kingdom, Building of the Year Award. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 378. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Historic buildings of the United Kingdom date from the stone age to the twenty-first century AD, and tell the...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=8951415 ... Read more

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An illustrated, concise account of the development and decline of castle architecture, this discusses the great variety in style, strength and location of castles. Examining castles both as fortresses in times of war and as residences, the author concentrates on eight castles which represent the apogee of medieval fortification and describes the famous sieges of Rochester, Kenilworth and Bedford. R.Allen Brown has written several standard texts on castles and a number of guidebooks on individual castles. ... Read more

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A unique look at the history of some of most treasured castles in Britain. Castle is an enlightening look at the origins, development and decline of castles in Britain. A real castle is a fortress and a stately home all rolled into one. This is part of what makes these extraordinary structures so fascinating-they are a product of two contradictory impulses-to be warlike and homely at the same time. The castle occupies an easily definable place in British history-introduced to Britain as a result of the Norman Conquest in 1066, it was not until the middle of the seventeenth century, as a result of the English Civil War, that castles were destroyed and abandoned on a large scale and the story draws to a close. Medieval historian and presenter Marc Morris focuses on a range of castles across England, Scotland and Wales, and explores their humble origins as timber buildings to the development of stone towers and keeps used in siege warfare. Among the castles featured are the tower of London, Dover, Rochester, Caerphilly, Caernarfon, Rhuddlan, Bodiam, Threave, Borthwick, Urquhart, Raglan and Pontefract. He also uncovers the lives of the inhabitants, examining the peculiarities of domestic life in a castle and the workings of an aristocratic household. Castle brings back to life the kings and queens, damsels and knights, sieges and tournaments that were once a part of these magical buildings.- Simon Schama's History of Britain books have sold over 150,000 copies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Gripping Book
An interesting and very readable book.Marc Morris explains the evolution of the castle and how it has worked (or not) at different times in history.He really has brought the subject to life.He tells us about the people who built castles and examines what they wanted from their own particular version of it.This book was as gripping as any thriller! ... Read more

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Newcomers to the study of castles as well as more experienced researchers will find Stephen Friar's Companion essential reading. Informative, knowledgeable and wide-ranging, it contains over 1,000 entries on English and Welsh fortifications from the Bronze Age to the medieval period. ... Read more

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This lavish visual history traces and records the development of Britain's finest secular buildings in the years up to 1486. It describes and explains the changes in method and style from the ancient earthworks and Roman forts to the splendors of castle building. ... Read more

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Britain and Ireland must be amongst the most spectrally populous parts of the world, and this book is a must for anyone interested in the ranks of headless spectres and ghastly ghouls that inhabit the country's castles. Region by region, renowned ghost-seeker Richard Jones reveals, explains and delights in the tales of tortured phantoms eager to restage their dark and turbulent past. They are all included here, from the ghostly queens that hurl themselves from the ramparts to the malevolent monks that wander the corridors - and from the shades that tour the infamous Tower of London to the grief-stricken white lady who may or may not have attended Madonna's wedding at Dornoch's legendary Skibo Castle. Richard Jones's authoritative and entertaining guide to haunted sites is handsomely designed and illustrated throughout with spectacular photographs, detailed, four-colour maps and extracts from original documents. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

So worth it!
This book is worth getting! Ive always been interested in Ghost & Hauntings anyways, so its handy to have a book like this one!

Excellent Can Be Used as a Travel Guide Book, Historical Reference or Just to Learn Ghost Stories!
This is as good a guide book as I've seen on castles (or ruins of castles) for the UK and Ireland. let alone one that covers the history of those castles and tells the reader about the ghosts who supposedly reside there.Inside most castles have colour photographs of the castle or ruins mentioned (some of the ruins also have sketches of the original castle as well).Richard Jones also tells the history of when they were built, who owned them, who lives in them now (if relevant) and all about the person or people who were killed there and now supposedly won't leave.
You'll learn some fascinating stuff such as the horrible way King Edward 11 did in Berkley Castle as punishment for not hurrying up and dying after being locked by the Queen in one of the castle cell's in a dungeon filled with rotting animals after five months.

The book is quite well done. The author states in the intro that he doesn't believe ghosts are dead people but does believe in them (his theory is they are a strong emotion that somehow became recorded on its surroundings and is waiting for the right person to come along and press play. So he gives an account from an impartial objective of tales he has come across not stating the ghosts are real just that people have said they were there. Although he does state at some of the castles while researching something made him feel uneasy.

I've lived Ireland for a year and extensively backpacked the UK and Ireland as well. If I'd had this book I certainly would have gone to a lot of castles I didn't even know existed. Plus I visited some of the castles in here and didn't even know they were supposedly haunted. Like I said before even if you're not interested in the ghost element this book tells you where a fair number of castles or ruins actually are (complete with maps of the part of the UK/Ireland showing where they are).

The book only has castles supposedly haunted (and ones the public can access) so isn't a comprehensive list of every castle but I've never come across a book with more castles than this one.Some major castles like Edinburgh Castle for example aren't in here but they're pretty hard to miss anyway. The book is fairly large in height and width so wouldn't really be ideal for the backpack but if you're taking a driving holiday or want to plan your journey before going it would be ideal. Anyone who has to do a school assignment would be hard to pass this great record of British and Irish medieval up as well.
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This series consists of simple illustrated guides to answer children's questions about history and invite comparisons with life today. This particular title deals with castles. ... Read more

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In this book, the castles of Hebridean myth and story are brought to life in a scholarly yet easy-to-read text. Roger Miket explores the history and architecture of the settings associated with blood-curdling dramas such as the murderous goings-on at Dun Sgaith or the far-fetched yarns of Saucy Mary and Cu Chulainn. Many of the castles are shown in reconstruction and all the architectural descriptions are fully illustrated making them clear to both expert and amateur historians. Together with the earlier broachs and duns, the castles are the principal material survivals of the great pageant of Hebridean history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent reference
I really like this small tome.It is well written with very good illustrations and gives a thorough account of the medieval castles around the Isle of Skye.

After the first (1990) edition went out of print, I've searched far and wide for my own copy. I even traveled to Skye but was unsuccessful in finding a copy for sale.So I was thrilled when this 2007 edition came out.

I recommend it for anyone with an interest in Scottish castles and history. ... Read more

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This last decade has seen a revolution in our understanding of the castle. Previous scholars have viewed it as essentially a military structure. Castle scholars now paint a more complex picture, emphasizing the castleÆs symbolic projection of power, its position in the wider landscape and even its aesthetic role. This wide-ranging book makes this re-evaluation available to a new generation of castle enthusiasts. Focusing on the rich heritage of castle archaeology in England and Wales, Robert Liddiard offers a fresh and holistic perspective on these enigmatic medieval buildings. He examines not just the architecture but its wider social and landscape context. As well as offering new insights into familiar themes such as the Norman Conquest and siege warfare, he also covers in detail more original areas of study: the designed, ornamental landscapes that have been found at castle sites; the depiction of castles in literature; and the symbolic values that found expression in castle architecture. His aim is to understand how people experienced castles in the Middle Ages, and therefore to explain why they were such potent icons of lordship. Richly illustrated in color and black and white, this book will make the reader see afresh the great stone keeps that still dominate the English and Welsh countryside - often more than seven hundred years after they were built. ... Read more

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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.

Customer Reviews (1)

A CLASSIC work on Castles in Great Britain
An endorsement on the back of the book by Michael Freeman of the Ceredigion Museum in Wales best describes the work.He wrote:"This well-researched book deals with all aspects of the castle in Britain. The author knows her subject well and writes lucidly about more than just the structures: she places them in their socio-political and historical contexts which casts a fresh light on their complex histories over several centuries."
It is not a coffee table book, but a well written book that is enjoyable to read and covers the subject of British castles well. The text provides a description of these medieval structures that includes background material and how the castles evolved through and even after the Medieval Period. The author provides the type of detail expected for a book on castles and sieges, but her skillful mix of British history makes this all so much better than what is found in similar works.
Even some of the aspects that are usually ignored because they are not truly about castles are described in detail because they play an important part in the human imagination.One that I found quite interesting was the author's description of how some castles, although not built for that purpose, were used as prisons and some of the famous personalities involved, although much of this happened after the medieval period.A description is included of the oubliette and its use. This is one of those mysterious features few castles had for isolating prisoners from the world.It was basically a windowless pit- like feature (bottle shaped) where entrance and exit was only possible by rope or ladder.Other items covered that are of interest include the "Sham" castles built after the medieval period as imitations of the real thing.
If there are any problems with this work it may only be said that the publisher opted not to include any plans or maps, but they did include many interesting photos. When this book is done in paperback we can only hope that plans and maps will be added by the publisher to truly make this a classic work. For now the reader can probably find a decent map of the location of castles on the internet and also plans of the ones covered.If you are interested in castles in the British Isles, or castles in general, this excellent book is a must!
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Descended from the Viking raiders who settled in Northern France under the leadership of Rollo in around 911, the Normans were amongst the most feared warriors of their time. Their territorial ambitions culminated in Duke William 1's conquest of England in 1066, but although victory at Hastings left the English crown in William's hands, Norman sovereignty remained far from established on the island. In order to consolidate his position, the new king built a series of fortifications across the country - this book covers all these developments from the early days of William I through to the fortifications of Henry II, Richard I and John. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Oh to be in England
As usual Osprey Books has done it again. The art work is superb and clear. You get a grasp of the subject quite easily. The sections are short and eeasy to understand. AS part of the fortress series it is a welcome edition.Sit back open the pages and you are there. ... Read more

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An exploration of the purpose, both secular and religious, the styles and the technology that created castles and cathedrals in the Middle Ages. The author traces the development of the castle from earth mound to the aristocratic home and describes the role of religion, its officers and buildings. ... Read more

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Covers the castles of Great Britain with information on their history and points of interest. ... Read more

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A well-written contribution to the literature on the subject, and will interest both the historically minded tourist and, as a reference book, the scholar. WAR IN HISTORY A comprehensive and concise guide to all medieval English castles of which something can still be seen today, ranging from the massive keeps which still dominate the landscape to grassy earthworks and Border pele towers, and spanning the centuries from the Norman Conquest to the accession of the Tudors. English Castles contains over five hundred main entries in county order, each giving a brief history and description of the castle. A short introduction supplies the historical background to the explosion of castle-building in the middle ages, and there is a glossary covering all aspects of castles in some detail. Full Ordnance Survey map references. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Highly Accessible Reference
This is a very unassuming, but perfectly nice book. Despite tackling a subject that has been done to death, Adrian Pettifer still manages to bring charm and interest to each subject.

This is a very reader-friendly book. Descriptions are bite-sized, so the book can be picked up and put down at a moment's notice. Whole counties can be skipped, or it can be devoured cover to cover, depending on your need and interest. Refreshingly unlike many books of this type, it is logically organized--alphabetically by county, and by castle name within each county. Useful ancillary information includes a short history of castle development, a small but legible map of the counties of England, an extremely informative glossary, an abbreviated bibliography, and a site index to aid in finding locations on the Ordnance Survey grid, just in case you decide to visit.

County sections begin with a brief overview and end with a short listing of nearby sites that have not been treated in detail. Descriptions of each castle are typically a page or less, but usually include something about the surrounding geography, style of structure, outstanding architectural features, accessibility, and opening hours.

The several monochrome photographs are unremarkable, particularly in light of the fact that many other books on the subject are chock full of color photos.

However, the hidden treasure in this book is that in over 3 dozen instances, a plan view drawing of the castle and environs is included. Labeled rooms, land forms, and out-buildings provide a much more intimate idea of what life inside was really like than any number of exterior photos could do.

Because I have this book mainly for genealogical research, the information I find most helpful and fascinating is historical: when each castle was built and by whom, who lived in it or conquered it, what its current condition is, and what part it played in history. Dates and historical anecdotes are abundant, and the cast of characters reads like a 'Who's Who' of England in the mid- to late-middle ages.

The next best thing to living there, this book should definitely be in the library of every Anglophile, researcher, and castle hunter. ... Read more

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Chapeltoun. Kennox House, Barony of Bonshaw, Clonbeith Castle, Rocking stone, Stewarton, Freshwater pearl mussel, Turnpike trusts in the United Kingdom, Auchentiber, James Boswell ... Read more

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Visiting Britain in the mid-eighteenth century, Andr Rouquet wrote that "in England more than in any other country, every man would fain be his own architect." Not surprisingly, then, several of the most important eighteenth-century British authors were also practicing architects: John Vanbrugh, a playwright, designed Blenheim Palace; the poet Alexander Pope offered architectural drawings for redesigning the houses of friends; and Horace Walpole claimed that the home he renovated, Strawberry Hill, inspired his novel The Castle of Otranto. The work of John Milton and Thomas Gray also exhibits an abiding interest in architecture. By examining the connections between literature and architecture in the work of these writers and by viewing architecture in literary terms, Lee Morrissey traces a narrative of cultural change in the Augustan Age and beyond.

A literary scholar with a strong background in architectural theory and practice, Morrissey examines architectural references made by these authors and architectural publications familiar to them. Each chapter establishes a connection with architecture in the careers of an author, then describes how a principal text--Paradise Lost, The Provok'd Wife, Essay on Man, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, and The Castle of Otranto--focuses the literary and historical issues of the period in architectural terms.

While some twentieth-century architectural theorists have worried that treating architecture in literary terms robs it of its social function, Morrissey argues that architecture can be a language and still participate in political and social contexts, because language itself is political and social. The fruit of his argument is a unique intellectual history of late seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Britain that will engage scholars of architectural history and landscape architecture as well as of literature. ... Read more

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Bodiam, in East Sussex, was built at the end of the great tradition of castle building, combining formidable defences with comfortable living quarters. Built by Sir Edward Dallyngrigge, a 14th-century soldier of fortune, to defend England from French invaders, it has now become a picturesque ruin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bodiam Castle Guide
This is an excellent guide published by The National Trust to one of the most picturesque castles in England. ... Read more