A guide to some of the most historical and picturesque castles in England for romantics and Anglophiles alike. Castles have shaped England. For almost one thousand years, castles have been the settings of siege and battle, dens of plotting and intrigue, and refuges for troubled kings. Today, the romantic yet ruinous shapes of once grand fortresses stud the English countryside—a reminder of turbulent times past. Exploring English Castles provides readers with a breathtaking tour through the grandest castles of England. It brings ruins to life through true stories of royalty, chivalry, deception, and intrigue, played out within formerly majestic walls. Uncover the secret of Bodiam Castle, Sussex—a fortress seemingly from a fairy tale, built for a knight returning from the Hundred Years’ War. Discover how Mary Tudor, first queen of England, took refuge in Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, overturning a wily plot to deny her the throne. Unearth a delicate love story between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, which unfolds against the genteel backdrop of Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire. Filled with evocative photographs, awe-inspiring historical tales, and gentle humor, Exploring English Castles will delight any armchair historian, travel aficionado, or fan of historical fiction.

The simple castles raised after the Norman conquest had been developed throughout 11th and 12th centuries, whilst the introduction of Islamic and Byzantine fortification techniques from the late 12th century led to further developments in castle architecture. These fortifications were to be well tested throughout the course of the 13th century as England was riven by the conflict, characterized by prolonged sieges, between the monarchy and powerful magnates. As well as providing the focus for warfare, castles increasingly became the centres of their communities, providing a more permanent base for the lord, his family and retainers, as well as acting as centres for justice and administration.

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.

This text 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.

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.

Originally published in 1957, Exploring Castles examines the 'classic' castle story. The book traces the origins of castles across England and Scotland, from the early Norman Castles, to Edwardian, all the way up to the ‘modern’ castles. The book case studies on individual castles, such as Newcastle upon Tyne’s castle, and the coverage of Scottish Tower Houses. The book looks at the influence of historic concepts surrounding the building of castles, such ‘bastard feudalism'. This book will be of interest to academics and students of history alike.

Youngsters can discover the inner-workings of a castle in this fun novelty book. Readers are encouraged to peek behind doors, windows and walls, and open foldouts of four detailed scenes that reveal castle life. Illustrations.

Young readers can explore a castle's features, architectural details, and hidden rooms through this comprehensive guide to the structure and the people that lived in it that includes a layered 3-D model.

"'Exploring Britain's Castles' paints a vivid picture of the kings, queens and feudal lords and ladies who lived in some of the most interesting and atmospheric castles in Britain. Built for strength, durability and to withstand siege, these buildings have stood the test of time. There are ancient castles standing cheek-by-jowl with modern housing estates and others occupying far-flung, rocky outcrops. Evocative colour photos capture castles that have remained grand and powerful for centuries, and others where nothing but a jagged tower survives"--Dust jacket flap.

From coast to coast, the English landscape is still richly studded with castles both great and small. As homes or ruins, these historic buildings are today largely objects of curiosity. For centuries, however, they were at the heart of the kingdom's social and political life. The English Castle is a riveting architectural study that sets this legion of buildings in historical context, tracing their development from the Norman Conquest in 1066 through the civil wars of the 1640s. In this magnificent, compellingly written volume, which includes over 350 illustrations, John Goodall brings to life the history of the English castle over six centuries. In it he explores the varied architecture of these buildings and describes their changing role in warfare, politics, domestic living, and governance.