The great walled castles of the medieval world continue to fascinate the modern world. Today, the remains of medieval forts and walls throughout Europe are popular tourist sites. Unlike many other books on castles, The Medieval Fortress is unique in its comprehensive treatment of these architectural wonders from a military perspective.The Medieval Fortress includes an analysis of the origins and evolution of castles and other walled defenses, a detailed description of their major components, and the reasons for their eventual decline. The authors, acclaimed fortification experts J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann, explain how the military strategies and weapons used in the Middle Ages led to many modifications of these structures. All of the representative types of castles and fortifications are discussed, from the British Isles, Ireland, France, Germany, Moorish Spain, Italy, as far east as Poland and Russia, as well as Muslim and Crusader castles in the Middle East. Over 200 photographs and 300 extraordinarily detailed technical drawings, plans, and sketches by Robert M. Jurga accompany and enrich the main text.

"Vol. 1 provides a comparative study of walled towns in Ireland, reviews the conceptual basis of towns ... [and] the distribution of walled towns ... is examined from historical and geographical viewpoints. Vol. 2 provides a gazetteer to 91 sites ..."--Jacket.

"Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a "typical" castle and adjoining town in thirteenth-century Wales."--Title page verso.

Medieval castles have traditionally been examined as feats of military engineering & tools of feudal control. This book presents a different perspective, by exploring the castle as a cultural reflection of the society that produced it, seen through art & literature.

LIST OF PARISHES Ambleston Amroth Angle Bayvil Begelly Bletherston Bosherston Boulston Brawdy Bridell Burton Caldey and St. Margaret's Islands Camros Capel Colman Carew Cartlett Castellan Castlebythe Castlemartin Cathedral Close of St. Davids (see St. Davids: The Cathedral Close of). Cheriton (see Stackpole Elidyr) Cilgerran Cilrhedyn West Clarbeston Clydai Coed Cenlas (or Cenles) Cosheston Crinow Cronware Dale Dinas Eglwyswrw Fishguard North Fishguard South Frey strop Furzy Park and Portfield Granston Grondre Gumfreston Hakin Haroldston St. Issels Haroldston West Hasguard Haverfordwest: Hamlet of St. Martin Haverfordwest: Hamlet of St. Mary Haverfordwest: Hamlet of St. Thomas Hayscastle Henry's Moat Herbrandston Hodgeston Hubberston Hundleton Jeffreston Johnston Jordanston Lambston Lampeter Velfrey (see Llanbedr V.) Lamphey Langum ... Lawhaden Lawrenny Letterston Little Newcastle Llanbedr (Lampeter) Velfrey Llanddewi Velfrey Llandeilo Llandeloy Llandyssilio West Llanfair Nant y Gof Llanfair Nant Gwyn Llanfallteg West Llanfihangel Penbedw Llanfyrnach Llangan West Llangolman Llanhywel Llanllawer Llanreithan Llanrian Llanstadwel Llanstinan Llantood Llanwnda Llanycefn Llanychaer Llanychllwydog Llysyfran Loveston Ludchurch Maenclochog Maenordeifi Maenorowen Manorbier Marloes Marteltwy Mathry Meline Milford Minwear Monington Monkton Morvil Mounton Moylgrove Mynachlog Ddu Narberth Narbeth North Narbeth South Nash Nevern New Moat Newport Newton North Neyland Nolton Pembroke: St. Mary Pembroke: St. Michael Penally ... Penrhudd Pontfaen Prendergast North Puncheston Pwllcrochan Redberth Reynalton Rhoscrowther Robeston Wathen Robeston West Roch Rosemarket Rudbaxton St. Brides St. Davids St. Davids Cathedral Close of St. Dogmaels Rural St. Dogwells St. Edrens St. Elvies St. Florence St. IsmaelsSt. Issells St. Lawrence ... St. Margaret's Island (see Caldey). St. Nicholas St. Petrocs St. Twynnells Slebech Spittal Stackpole Elidyr Steynton Talbenny Tenby: St. Mary in Liberty Tenby: St. Mary out Liberty Trefgarn Upton Uzmaston Vorlan Walton East Walton West Walwyn's Castle Warren Whitchurch Whitechurch Williamstown East Wiston Yerbeston

Once a seat of government as well as the private residence of its owners, the medieval castle was also a military base and stronghold for the surrounding geographical area. The development of these sturdy fortifications in England during the Middle Ages is carefully examined in this profusely illustrated book. From early chapters dealing with primitive earthworks and Roman stations, the text goes on to explore the construction of the English castle following the Norman Conquest, the beginnings of the stone castle and the Norman keep, bastions of the thirteenth century, military architecture, fortified towns in the later Middle Ages, and more. Students of architecture, military history, and medieval studies—as well as anyone interested in the evolution of castle construction—will find this work a fascinating and valuable reference.