Medieval Castle: Life in a Fortress in Peace and War

Book Description
The influence of the castle, both on the course of history and on the lives of the people who lived in them, has never been fully explored-until now. This fascinating book examines the evolution of the medieval castle, from the rigid social structure of its society to the types of weapons, training, and tactics employed during wartime. Above all, The Medieval Castle is a book about the daily life-from clothes and food to recreation and customs-and the people who made their homes inside a military fortress.

About the Author
Philip Warner was, for many years, senior lecturer at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England. He is the author of a number of books including Sieges of the Middle Ages.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

Before the evolution of the castle, Europe was vulnerable to any bloodthirsty marauder. But with the introduction of the motte-and-bailey 'instant castle', invaders were checked, frontiers were held and life became more stable. Later, castles became part of conquerors' grand designs and to this we owe the great Crusader castles of Syria and the Edwardian castles of North Wales. This fascinating book explores the life and thought of the Middle Ages with particular emphasis on the influence of the castle, a military society with all its faults and virtues. Philip Warner, whose Sieges of the Middle Ages is also published as a Classic Penguin, looks at the people who lived in these castles: what they wore, what they ate, the chores they hated and the thoughts that motivated them. In doing so, he also draws parallels between life some 500 years ago and life today.


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices