Castles: Their Construction and History (Dover Architecture)

The art of fortification had reached a high state of development even at the dawn of history. Powerful military works dating from the remotest periods have been found in Asia Minor in Greece and in the basins of the Tigris the Euphrates and the Nile rivers. The medieval castle with its strategic crenellated ramparts and aura of legend and romance represents perhaps the most familiar form of a long-crucial art. This concise scholarly volume traces the history of the castle from its ancient roots in the Levant through Roman times and the Middle Ages to the fanciful chateaux of the sixteenth century. Profusely illustrated with nearly 200 photographs floor-plan diagrams and pen-and-ink renderings Castles explores innovations in castle design siege operations artillery and other weapons living conditions within the castle and clearly explains intriguing features of construction: moats baileys keeps donjons barbicans double curtains loopholes and many others. In addition noted historian and fortification expert Sidney Toy takes the reader on a detailed guided tour of over 120 of the most famous castles and fortresses of Europe and the Middle East. Explore Caernarvon Castle (associated with the Princes of Wales) Dover Castle Arundel Castle Hadrian's Wall the Tower of London the famed city of Troy and dozens of others in vivid accounts focusing on the architecture offensive and defensive modifications and historical importance of each structure or site. Castle enthusiasts medievalists military buffs travelers and anyone interested in the evolution and development of the castle will find this meticulously researched overview an informative and absorbing account.

Series: Dover Architecture

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Dover Publications; Dover ed edition (December 1 1985)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0486248984

ISBN-13: 978-0486248981

Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces